One In Christ Series

Bishop Reed had the right idea. What was needed was a new race, “the greens,” but he couldn’t pull it off! Our text says that Jesus created a new man, a new humanity, a new race. This is the answer to alienation, to racism, to prejudice, to hatred, to estrangement. As John Oxenham said: “In Christ there is no East or West, In Him no South or North, But one great fellowship of love Throughout the whole wide earth” .(Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (pp. 92–93). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.)

Finally, believers are One in Christ because of:

2) Access to God (Ephesians 2:18)

Ephesians 2:18 [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (ESV)

When we have Jesus Christ (Him) we also have access by the Spirit to the Father. The resources of the entire Trinity are ours the moment we receive Christ. It is not just a judicial reconciliation but an actual intimate relationship with practical value as we bring our needs to the Father. The term used here for access (Prosagoge) is used only three times in the New Testament, in each case referring to the believer’s access to God (cf. Rom. 5:2; Eph. 3:12). In ancient times a related word was used to describe the court official who introduced persons to the king. They gave access to the monarch. The term itself carries the idea not of possessing access in our own right but of being granted the right to come to God with boldness, knowing we will be welcomed. It is only through our Savior’s shedding of His blood in sacrificial death on Calvary and by faith in Him that we have union in His Holy Spirit and have access to the Father. The Spirit is at work to draw us continually to God (Rom. 8:15–17; Gal. 4:6–7). Both and one spirit emphasize again the commonality of Jew and Gentile. The work of Christ and the establishment of His church reach to all peoples. This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE meaning “we continue to have access.” This is the concept of Jesus personally bringing believers into the presence of God and giving them a personal introduction (cf. Rom. 5:2; Heb. 4:16; 10:19, 35) (Utley, R. J. (1997). Paul Bound, the Gospel Unbound: Letters from Prison (Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon, then later, Philippians) (Vol. Volume 8, p. 94). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International).

Please turn to Hebrews 4

The only access into God’s presence, the only door into the sheepfold of His kingdom, is through His Son. But it is a wonderful and glorious access that can never be taken from us. The writer of Hebrews describes this access and privilege like this:

Hebrews 4:14-16 [14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)