Do you remember when you had to purchase cell phone data in order to use your cell phone without Wi-Fi? I’m in my late 20s. In middle school, when everyone had just gotten their first cell phone, some people had unlimited phone access and others did not. Luckily, my mom was grandfathered into an unlimited phone plan with our carrier, but friends of mine weren’t so lucky.
Without an unlimited phone plan, these friends only had a certain amount of minutes of phone data each month. Once that data ran out, they either had to purchase more or only use their phone on Wi-Fi the rest of the month. Thankfully, it was only a few years before phone companies realized everyone needed unlimited cell phone access, and the cost started being built into your monthly phone plan.
I’ll admit. This example is silly. But it did come at a cost to only be able to reach family and friends based on your phone plan’s terms. What if an emergency happened, and you were stranded without Wi-Fi and were out of data minutes? Though this example pales in comparison, some of us are living like we only have limited access to God.
Believing There is Limited Access
Growing up, I went through several spiritual highs and lows. I would attend church camp, commit to abiding daily with Jesus, come home and read my Bible for a week or so, and then trail off the reading plan. This pattern became habitual, and I didn’t live like I had unlimited access to God.
I was relying on a feeling or emotion to ground me in my faith rather than knowing my identity was secure in Christ and spending time with Him out of enjoyment.
The Benefits of Unlimited Access
Our SOAP verse today emphasizes our unlimited access to God. Every believer in Jesus, either Jew or Gentile, has the same access to God. We have freedom to express ourselves before God without fear or shame because Christ’s righteousness is now our righteousness.
Earlier in Ephesians 3, Paul references the mystery of God’s will being revealed. This “mystery” is God’s plan of salvation through the Messiah. Because God is holy and man is sinful, there is a great need for a Perfect Sacrifice so that we can be in relationship with a holy God. Christ Jesus is that Perfect Sacrifice. If we believe in Him, God looks at us and sees Jesus’ payment for our sin.
It’s at this moment of salvation that we are made right with God, once and for all.
But the good news doesn’t stop there. God also takes up residence in us at the point of salvation. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, lives inside every believer. He guides us, convicts us, and helps us. We have full access to commune with God all day, every day.
There is no longer a gap separating us from God. Jesus has bridged that gap and given us the ultimate gift of His presence to journey with us through life.
Living with Unlimited Access
So, what should we do with this “unlimited access”? Yes, God commands us to spend time with Him day and night (Joshua 1:8). But this command isn’t just a rule to follow for God’s benefit. Accessing God is for your benefit.
Friend, God likes you and loves you. He delights in spending time with you. He wants to be involved in the details of your life. When we choose to involve God in our daily decisions, natural rhythms, and patterned practices, we receive His love, wisdom, joy, peace, and discernment.
I think back to my years of spiritual highs and lows in high school and remember feeling lost and hopeless. What I didn’t realize is that I had access to the Almighty God at my fingertips. I was stuck in fear and shame, not recognizing my identity in Christ. I was looking to myself for answers rather than to the One who is all-knowing.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You lead me in the path of life. I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight.” Today, I am confident that there is no greater joy than being with God, communing with Him, and obeying Him. Let us not take for granted the free gift of unlimited access to our Father who loves us.
