Who Can Gain Access?

Thomas asked a question every man, woman, and child should ask. He got the answer. John 14:5-6

Simon Peter had access. He was a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. Before that he was anything but a servant-minded man. Peter understood access to Jesus and his eternal kingdom was not based on what he brought to the table, because Peter had little to offer. He knew the Samaritan woman had access, the little children had access, the tax collectors had access, the prostitutes had access, the lame had access, the lepers had access, the demon-possessed had access, the penniless widows had access, a dying thief had access, and everyone else that the Pharisees and priests would have wanted to exclude had access. Here is what this reckless, Jesus-denying, proud, and argumentative fisherman said about the wonder of entry in 2 Peter 1:3-11:

Access is only by belief. Good works don’t provide any entrance.

Entrance Granted by Divine Power

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.  

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:3-11

What Jumps Out About Access?

John 14:6 records Jesus words. He said he was the Way. No one comes to (has access to) the Father except through faith in him.

It is granted by the highest power, and it comes with all things needed for life and godliness based on God’s very great and his precious promises. It is a brand-new covenant that is given and completed by the only true God.

This access (by faith alone, through God’s grace alone) is only the beginning. It is transforming. Those who have access think differently, love more deeply, stick to the King’s kingdom tasks. They result in a productive, prosperous, profitable, rewarding, and fruitful life.

This access then, amazingly, provides entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lest you think that is no big deal, consider the following reminders.

Two Reminders about Access Wonders

“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

Followers of Jesus have access and that changes our passion and focus. As Peter wrote, you and I should “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.