"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."_ — _John 1:17_
_WHAT MAKES GRACE DISTINCT - ACCESS TO GOD (d)
Under Law, approaching God was like trying to see the President of Nigeria in Aso Rock. You cannot just walk in. You need a visitor's pass, security clearance, protocol officers, and the Chief of Staff who alone knows when the President is free. You stand outside the gate, hoping your letter gets to him. And even if it does, you may never see his face. This depicts the law.
Under Grace, the story has changed. God did not just give you a visitor's pass to Aso Rock; He adopted you and brought you to LIVE inside Aso Rock as His own son. You no longer shout from the gate. You now live in the house. You can walk into the sitting room at any time and say, "Father."
In the Old Covenant, God dwelt behind a veil. The Tabernacle had three compartments: the Outer Court where everyone could come, the Holy Place where only priests could enter, and the Holy of Holies where God's presence dwelt.
Nobody could stroll into the Holy of Holies. It was sealed with a thick veil, 60 feet high, 30 feet wide, as thick as a man's palm, according to Jewish history. Only ONE man, the High Priest, could enter ONCE a year on the Day of Atonement and not without blood for himself and for the people.
If he entered wrongly, he died there. In fact, they tied a rope around his leg so they could drag his corpse out if he fell dead inside, because no one else dared enter to carry him. That was Law: Distance. Fear. Limited Access. One man, once a year.
But look at Grace! The moment Jesus cried, "It is finished" on the Cross:
> _"Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom..."_ — _Matthew 27:51_
It should be noted that it tore FROM TOP TO BOTTOM meaning it was God who tore it, not man. God was saying, "The road is now open! Come in!" And the writer of Hebrews now invites us:
> _"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."_ — _Hebrews 4:16_
You no longer come through a priest. You ARE now the priest!
> _"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..."_ — _1 Peter 2:9_
You do not need a special prophet to help you talk to God and get feedback, now, you have access to the same God without hindrance. You can enter into his presence without shame.
Under Grace, God has moved out of the physical holies of holies in Jerusalem and moved into your into your heart. You don't need to book an appointment to see your heavenly Father through a prophet. You don't need to come with fear. You don't need to visit Jerusalem for a special meeting with God.
You can talk to your father in heaven at anytime and say, "Daddy, I need help." And He says, "Come boldly, my son. My door is always open for you." God has given you unrestricted access through His son. That is why you should never allow anyone play "God" in your life.
That is what Grace did. The rope is no longer tied to a High Priest. The veil is no longer standing. The way is open.
Stop approaching God as if the veil is still there. You are not standing in the Outer Court. In Christ, you are already in the Holy of Holies. So come boldly today. Not because you are worthy, but because the blood of Jesus has made you worthy.
Father, thank You for the torn veil. Thank You that through Jesus, I have bold, free, and permanent access to Your presence. I refuse to live in guilt and distance. I come boldly today to receive mercy and grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.