We Can Approach God Without Fear

Rom 5:1-2 NLT - "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory."

We have gained access, we do not deserve, to God's amazing grace through what Jesus Christ did for us.  God’s grace not only gives us the unmerited free gift of forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation, it also gives us the right and the empowerment to be children of God.  We should not fear punishment from God when we acknowledge our sins to him and admit to our wrongs.  As we stand on faith in what Jesus did for us and lean on God’s grace, we grow closer to and learn more about who God is and who he wants us to be.  His grace empowers us to live as sons and daughters of God, rise above our natural human ability and live in this world as Jesus did.

Eph 3:12 NLT - "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome."

Thanks to Christ we may approach God directly with freedom and confidence through prayer.  We are his children and he wants a relationship with us.  Prayer is our way to talk to him.  It is not just asking God to do something for us or something we want.  It is our way to relate to  and communicate with God.  Because of Christ we can approach him comfortably and in confidence.

Heb 4:16 NLT - "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it."

God loves us and really wants to help us.  He wants us to live abundant lives on this earth and knows we need his help.  We can boldly seek his help for ourselves and for others.  We know that what seems impossible to us is possible through Him and His grace.  We should approach him with reverence and bold assurance knowing he is also our Friend and Counselor.

Heb 10:19-22 NLT sums this up well.  "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."

So when we are told to fear the Lord, it really means we are to revere Him and see Him with great awe.  We are not to be timid and afraid as if facing some great menace who only wants to punish us.  Proverbs 14:26 NIV says, "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge."

Are you still running with the world and feeling insecure?  Are you afraid that whatever you have done in life before disqualifies you from accepting Christ and experiencing God’s love and grace?  Think again.  Jesus wants you to be his friend and He wants to help you in all that you need.  He is the way to a secure life where we have nothing to be afraid of.  Who would not want such a great Counselor on their side?