Wear Out the Welcome Mat
Dearly beloved of God, we are no more strangers and foreigners to God; we are fellow citizens with the saints, and we are of God’s household. Being members of God’s household is quite a privilege.
Romans 5:1, 2
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ [See Ephesians 2:13-18]:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
“Access” is the Greek word “prosagoge,” which is a leading or bringing to the presence of anyone; freedom of access.
Who justified us, made the peace with God, provided us with access into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God? Our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished these realities, and now they are ours in him.
Ephesians 2:18
For through him [Christ Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Who brought the Judeans and the Gentiles into the Father’s presence by one spirit? Christ Jesus provided us with the introduction by the gift of holy spirit we received when we were born again.
Ephesians 3:12
In whom [Christ Jesus our Lord] we have boldness and access [to the Father] with confidence by the faith of him.
Who provided us with the privileged status which allows us to boldly, freely speak to the Father with confidence? Christ Jesus our Lord provided us with this privileged access to the Father.
How do we utilize our access to the Father? We utilize it by prayer. What good is access to us if we do not take advantage of it?
God our Father, by the revelation of His Word, exhorts us to use the access we have to Him with boldness and confidence. We ought to wear out the welcome mat at the front door!
I John 5:14, 15
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
God our Father tells us to have confidence in Him, and freely speak to Him. If we know that He hears us, we know that we have the petitions we desire from Him. Be persuaded by His Word, dearly beloved of God, it is His Will.
It was His idea to supply us with privileged access to Him by the spirit. He made it available to us in Christ by the good pleasure of His Will. We don’t need to convince Him to hear us, we are ones that must be persuaded that He does.
I John 3:19-22
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
We assure our hearts before Him by persuading ourselves with the assurance of His Word. This will give us confidence toward God.
God our Father gives us the revelation that we should pray always with all prayer and supplication by way of the spirit, and stay on watch for the needs of all the saints with all perseverance.
The Lord Jesus Christ provided us with access to the Father by the spirit we received in the new birth. Wear out the welcome mat, and approach the Father with boldness and confidence.
Pray with the understanding if you have a specific request, and pray by the spirit if you do not know what to pray for, but whatever you do, pray.
Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly [parrhesia] unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
God our Father is the One offering grace for timely help. He is the One that is able and willing to perform what He says He will perform. Pray until you have the answer you desire of Him. Pray without ceasing, dearly beloved of God.
He who approaches God must believe that He exists and that He becomes a rewarder to those who seek Him.
Since the Lord Jesus Christ provided us with access to the Father by the spirit, wear out the welcome mat at the front door, and approach Him with confidence and boldness. It is His Will.
You are dearly beloved, and highly favored in His sight. Believe it.