Why Can We Approach God with Confidence?
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It can be difficult for us to know where to place our confidence. People lie, twist the truth, and misrepresent things. Other times, they may have the best intentions, but they fail to follow through on their commitments due to negligence, malice, incompetence, or just bad timing. Sometimes people fail others just because of circumstances, not even due to bad intentions or sin.
When navigating the world, we want to have confidence in others, but it can be difficult as people fail and let one another down. The Bible assures the believer that there is someone they can always approach with confidence, that He can be trusted to be faithful - Jesus Christ, “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” (Ephesians 3:12).
God doesn’t just want us to come to him with faith and trust, but with boldness because Jesus has secured eternity and victory for everyone who has put faith in the Lord.
What Is the Context of Ephesians 3?
The book of Ephesians is an epistle Paul wrote to the Greek church in Ephesus, encouraging unity amongst believers and providing advice on how to live a Christian life. Like many of Paul’s letters, it opens with greetings and an explanation of Christ. He expressed thankfulness for the prayers of the church, since he was in jail at that time.
Paul affirmed “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). He goes on to emphasize unity in Christ, that Jews and Greeks are all one under the blood of Christ. Paul then explains that he, a devout Jewish man, became a prisoner for the sake of getting the Gospel to the Gentiles. It is in this section of the letter that he states:
“…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him” (Ephesians 3:10-12).
After this, Paul encourages prayer for strength and gives advice for family living.
How Is Ephesians 3:10-12 Translated in Other Versions?
English Standard Version: “So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”
King James Version: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
New Living Translation: “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”
New International Version: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Revised Standard Version: “That through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
The context for this phrase, “in whom we have boldness and access through our faith in him” is important, as the idea of being able to approach God with confidence can be used for bad doctrine. Some people will say this verse means that a Christian can come to God and ask for anything with confidence that they will receive it. It is not uncommon for people who believe that if they “name it and claim it” with confidence God will give it to them.
However, the full context of the verse illuminates what Paul is saying. Before Paul made this statement, he clarified his personal calling – to reach the Gentiles with the Gospel – then goes on to say what the church should do in light of the Gospel.
The church exists to communicate the wisdom of God to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” This purpose was realized in Jesus Christ, whom believers can approach with confidence. Because Christians can approach Jesus with confidence, Paul said the church should not be discouraged because of his imprisonment, but that they should go to God in prayer; “that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16, 19b).
In other words, Christians can approach God with boldness because they are saved by grace through faith, they are loved, and can believe that God will provide what He knows is best. This verse partners well with something the Apostle John wrote in one of his letters,
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:13-15).
Both passages affirm the same idea, that Christians can be confident that God hears them, and they can approach God with boldness because they are children of God through the death and resurrection of Christ. God will give according to His will.
How Can I Be Confident I’m Asking for God’s Will?
People are selfish and sinful, and even after someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and receives the Holy Spirit, they may continue to struggle with understanding God’s will. The Bible reveals God’s general will for mankind about salvation, morality, purpose, and more, but God will reveal personal direction for each person uniquely.
Building a one-on-one relationship with God is key to learning to hear His voice and be obedient to it, so when approaching the throne, one can know they are acting in accordance with the Father’s will.
1. Prayer
Christians have direct access to God through prayer. Before the crucifixion of Jesus, only the High Priest could come into the presence of God behind the curtain in the Holy of Holies. When Jesus paid the price for sin on the cross, the veil was torn, and everyone who believes in Jesus can come into God’s presence to speak with Him directly.
2. Read the Bible
God communicates His personality, His character, and His plan through His written word. To get to know God and to conform to Him, studying the manifest Word of God is important.
3. Fellowship with Other Believers
Christians are called to live out the Gospel and behave like Christ, giving insight into His character. They can also provide insight and guidance and confidently approach the throne with someone in times of need.
When Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world, He created a bridge between the sinner and holy God. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). When someone has that saving relationship with the Lord, they can approach God with confidence because they can be confident they are saved, that they are loved, that their eternity is secured. Because of the security of this eternal relationship, Christians can address God as Father, and know that He will bless according to His will.
Sources
Bruce, F.F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1984.
Cook, Krist. Ephesians Sealed in Christ. Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2018.
Murray, Andrew. The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer. Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers, 2003.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Mustapha GUNNOUNI
Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.