Bold Confidence

“According to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in him.” Eph 3:11-12

In a reversal of what is sometimes taught and preached, this text does not encourage us to wait for God’s presence but to actively and confidently seek it. “Boldness, “access,” and “confidence” are the postures we have – right now – because of what Jesus has done. We – as Jesus People – do not have to wait; do not have to perform any particular ritual; do not have to engage any particular deep spiritual practice. We have bold access to God right away.

Now, this can be intimidating.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a pretty broken and goofed up person. I am not very excited about going boldly to a perfect and holy God. I know enough of myself to realize that I am “not all that and a bag of chips.”

But the text rebuts me before I can even form those thoughts. Something was Accomplished. God had this plan worked out from eternity past. The work was finished by Jesus Christ. The confident access we have is through our faith in Jesus. Jesus gives me the “All Access” pass; he gets me past the rope line; he escorts me past the bouncer at the door.

And all of that seems shallow indeed when I realize that Jesus fixes my brokenness in preparation for that access. He heals, he cleans me up, and he gives me sharp-looking suits. Sure, I might be stretching an analogy there – but the point is that this access is not based on my messed up stuff (which God knows ALL about), it is based on the work Jesus did.

Jesus fixes us, he gives us some basic tools to take up his mission, and he gives us clear instructions (as well as informed discretion) to get out there and do his work.

This presents a compelling picture of God raising up a repaired, equipped, and trusted people to fulfill our God-created purpose.

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Summary: In Christ (an important qualifier!), though we are frail and broken, we have been made great.