August 13, 2009
PLAINER WORDS ONLINE … “BY THE FAITH OF HIM”
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him” (Eph. 3:12)
The Apostle Paul said, of himself, that he was “less than the least of all saints” (Eph. 3:8) and, to him, was given grace that he might preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. His proclamation was to enlighten the “eyes of understanding” of the saints to the fellowship of the Mystery (Eph. 3:9). This fellowship, in which the Jew no longer had dispensational privilege and priority, was to instruct the dwellers in heaven—that is to say, the principalities and powers in “the manifold wisdom of God.”
Because of the believer’s position in Christ, as it relates to God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus, we are assured that we can have bold access unto God with absolute confidence. Not because of our uprightness, but because of faith that has respect to Jesus Christ as Head over all things to the Church (Ecclesia), which is His Body.
The key to this verse is found in the expression, “by the faith of Him (i.e., Jesus Christ).” Some think that it means, because of His faith, or faithfulness, we can enjoy “boldness and access with confidence.” However, this seems to strain the context. Dr. Bullinger, in his excellent book, “How to Enjoy the Bible,” states that there are expressions in the Bible which express a particular relationship. He lists many examples of this type of expression. Some of these are enumerated here:
“The fear of the LORD…,” which means, the fear or reverence shown toward God (Proverbs 1:7).
“The spoil of the poor …,” which means, that which is taken from the poor (Isaiah 3:14).
“The gospel of the Kingdom …,” which means, the good news relating to the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23, 24:14).
“Have faith of [in] God …,” which means, have faith with respect to God; see the margin (Mark 11:22).
“They have a zeal of God …,” which means, a zeal for God” (Romans 10:2).
“Obedience of Christ …,” which means, obedience rendered to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
“Every joint supplieth …,” which means, joint which ministers supply (Ephesians 4:16).
“The afflctions of Christ …,” which means, the afflictions undergone for Christ (Colossians 1:24).
“By faith of Jesus Christ …,” which means, faith which has respect to Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22).
In plainer words, it could be said, “In Whom we have boldness and access, with confidence, by faith that has respect to Jesus Christ.” The “we” of Ephesians 3:12 refers to the saints who make up the calling of the Church over which Christ Jesus is the Head. The faith which has respect to Him and His work has the right to boldness and access. Faith, in respect to Christ, rests, wholly, upon understanding and believing our position in Christ. That is to say, faith in what Christ accomplished for our benefit.
The benefits are too numerous to mention in this writing. However, we will mention a few of them which are ours “by faith of Him”:
Blessed with all spiritual blessings.
Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.
Predestinated unto the adoption by Jesus Christ.
Have been made accepted in the Beloved.
In Whom we have redemption by His blood—the forgiveness of sins.
We have obtained an inheritance in Christ’s Government in the Pre-Parousia Kingdom.
Raised and seated, together with Christ, among heaven’s most exalted ones.
The Mystery of His will was made known to us.
Members of the “One Body,” who truly recognize these benefits, can have “boldness and access with confidence.”
BOLDNESS
Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 defines “boldness” by saying, “courage, bravery, spirit, fearlessness, freedom from timidity, confidence; confident trust, freedom from bashfulness, assurance.”
Because we have been enveloped in God’s Grace, based upon who we are “in Christ,” we are free to be in God’s presence without timidity! Without fearing! Without doubting! In prayer, now, but even more so, in person in the Day of Christ. We can exhibit boldness in the very Presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will not have to approach Him “with our hat tucked in our hand.”
“In Christ,” we can approach God with fearlessness, being free from all timidity, without being bashful, and with full assurance that we belong. Imagine, WE BELONG in the very inner sanctum—we can approach the very Throne of God with boldness. Not because of our “righteousness,” sincerity, devotion, or dedication, but because we believe what we have been made-to-be “in Christ.”
We are to enjoy this boldness in spite of our failures, shortcomings, and sin. This is the way it is with our Lord Jesus Christ. This is, absolutely, contrary to man’s way! We are to be assured that we can come “boldly to the Throne of Grace.” Despite the fact that we may stumble, the Word of God assures us that our boldness comes from being “in Him,” for there, and only there, do we dare to have this boldness.
Notice the uses of the word, “boldness”:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29).
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
“Boldness” can, also, mean “plainness,” for in 2 Corinthians 3:12, Paul says, “Seeing then we have such hope, we use great plainness (i.e., margin: boldness) of speech.”
“Great is my boldness of speech toward you …” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
In Scripture, “boldness” seems to be associated with speaking, thus, emphasizing that in prayer, we can have boldness “by the faith of Him.”
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death” (Philippians 1:20).
In Hebrews 10, after the Apostle Paul explains the doctrine of the offering of Christ as the one sacrifice, he says:
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, … Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, …” (Hebrews 10:19, 20, and 22).
Two other interesting passages are found in Hebrews where “boldly” is used.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).
When the Apostle asks the saints to pray for him, he says, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
ACCESS
The word, “access,” first occurs in Ephesians in Chapter 2, Verse 18: “For through him [Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” We should note that the word, “access,” means; “a coming to: near approach. Means of approach, liberty to approach: implying previous obstacles” (Webster’s Dictionary 1828). In Ephesians 3:12, “access” is tied in with “boldness” and “confidence.”
The position which members of the Church over which Christ Jesus is the Head enjoy allows each member access to God without any obstacles. What a blessed thought! We have the “means of approach without any obstacles,” no barriers, whatsoever. Being complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) provides us with this liberty.
The only obstacle is one that we might imagine. The wicked one would have us believe that there is something in our lives which would prevent us from enjoying the “boldness” and “access” we have in Christ. This would be our imaginations, causing us to shrink from the bold access which has been provided us “in Christ.” Such timidity and trepidation should be cast down as Paul, so succinctly, stated in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Romans 5:1-2 mentions access which believers had during the Acts Period.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
The believer’s boldness and access is to be accompanied “with confidence.” Members of the “Church, which is His Body” are to be, absolutely, confident that we can approach God with boldness. We, as believers in Present Truth,” are the object of God’s favor
since we are to be “to the praise of the glory of His grace…” (Ephesians 1:6).
In Ephesians 2:18, “access” is placed at the climax of the dispensational blessedness which the Gentile was to enjoy in the newly created Church (Ecclesia)—the One New Man. Here, again, “access” is brought forward at the climax of Paul’s emphasis on the blessedness of the grace of God given him, making him the steward of the Mystery which encompasses the “unsearchable riches of Christ.”
CONFIDENCE
The “boldness” and “access” we have been endowed with is to be demonstrated “with confidence”. Webster’s 1828 gives as its No.1 definition for “confidence” as: “A trusting, or reliance; an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another, or in the truth and reality of a fact.” We are to have a firm belief in the integrity, stability, or veracity of the Lord Jesus Christ. We don’t have to cower, or grovel when we come into His Presence by means of appeal, entreaty, petition, or plea. We have the assurance of the Word of God that we can have access to Him with all boldness. Having confidence in His Word, we can boldly demand, “Oh God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, GIVE ME YOUR EAR.” We can express this “with confidence.” We demand He give us His Ear. “Hear and answer our prayer! Oh Lord, our Strength and our Councelor …” We have the confidence that we will be met with understanding.
The “access” and “boldness” which we are to realize and enjoy seem to be conditioned on our state of mind. The privileges which are ours, “in Christ,” are to be fully comprehended. As our faith has respect to what our Lord Jesus Christ has done, we are to enjoy and realize our admission into His Presence without fear and timidity. This causes many to stagger in unbelief. These timid souls have failed to grasp the spiritual reality of the confidence we are to exhibit in our prayerful Presence. Now, if Ephesians 3:12 is not enough to cause many to stagger in unbelief, add to that Ephesians 3:20:
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
The very height of all of our “asking or thinking” falls miserably short for He is able, beyond all things, to do, superabundantly, above all of our mightiest asking, or our loftiest thoughts.
 |