"In [Christ Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Ephesians 3:12)

You can't just walk right up to the king. In many nations throughout history, to approach the king without being invited resulted in a quick and painful death. Only a few select people could come to the King without first being asked, maybe some family members and few trusted servants. Everyone else had to make an official request through someone else.

That's how it used to be with God, too. When He set up His official relationship with Israel, only representatives were allowed to come into His presence at a very specific time and place ”and very carefully” to ask His forgiveness for Israel's sins.

Jesus changed all that. He paid for the sin that stood between us and the Father. Those who trust in Christ have our sins forgiven completely. The result? No need for a middleman and the exact right words in the right order on the right day. Jesus gave us a pass to walk right into God's throne room to talk to Him at any time and for any reason. That's real freedom. Are you using yours?

Think: How would your relationship with God be different if you could not talk to Him directly? Would it be less personal? Less meaningful?

Pray: Thank God for the freedom and confidence to talk directly to Him at any time without fear.

Do: Use your freedom to approach God with confidence today.

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A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.