ACCESS TO FREEDOM

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility”
Ephesians 2:13-14 (TLV)

‍

______________________________________________________________‍

‍

QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT

‍‍

‍Join us Monday Nights for the
Discernment Bible Study on Zoom
‍Time: 7:00-9:00 pm (EST)
‍

______________________________________________________________

‍

What is “the dividing wall of hostility” in Ephesians 3:14? In order to fully understand, we must look at the design of the Temple in Jerusalem. On the very outskirts of the Temple was the Court of the Gentiles (non-Israelites). There was a fence (called the “soreg”) separating this Court from the rest of the Temple area. Around that fence, stones were placed. Death was threatened to any non-Israelite who would dare to cross that soreg. Pretty intense!

‍

But this was not the only barrier to the Holy of Holies, where the SPIRIT of GOD dwelt. After the soreg was the Outer Court. Women were allowed here, but could not progress any further. Through the Outer Court was a gate to the Hall of the Israelites. Jewish men were allowed here, but could not progress any further. And so it went…there was an area where only priests and Levites were allowed…and then only priests…until you reached the Holy of Holies. There was a thick curtain (veil) that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Only one time a year was the Chief Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.

‍

When JESUS died on the cross, HE not only destroyed the soreg¸ the “dividing wall of hostility,” thus welcoming all non-Israelites into the family of GOD…but the thick curtain, the veil, was also torn…thus allowing us direct access to GOD HIMSELF! Hallelujah! Every single obstacle was torn down at the death of JESUS. There is now no separation between us and the unadulterated, pure, uninhibited, unconditional Love of GOD!!!

‍

‍

HE has given us direct access…intimacy…with HIM! HE has given us access to freedom in HIM!

But have we done the same?

Have we given the GOD who loves us direct access into every area of our lives?

Or have we built our own walls, our own barriers, in our hearts? To what room of our lives have we relegated the SPIRIT of GOD?

Perhaps HE is on the very fringe of our lives. We call ourselves “Christians,” but we are not really CHRIST-followers. We are “Christian” in name only.

Or maybe we have relegated to certain activities…to a checklist. Went to church? Done. Read my Bible? Done. Prayed? Done. But we haven’t allowed HIM to truly transform us. We are still holding something back.

What is in the “Holy of Holies” of your heart? What have you hidden away, perhaps afraid to let GOD in? Perhaps ashamed of being totally transparent before HIM?

‍

GOD desires all of us. HE desires to love you…to heal you…to comfort you…to purify you.

1.    Surrender. Tear down the walls of separation that you have built in your heart. Ask HIM to cleanse you of any sin that you have been holding onto. Allow HIM to tear down the idols in your life.

2.    Be vulnerable enough to submit to HIS healing of your deepest hurt, your deepest anger, your unforgiveness, your bitterness, traumas you experienced as a child or young adult…everything. Give HIM free access to every room in your heart.

3.    Accept HIS Love, HIS forgiveness, HIS healing Balm of Gilead. There is no condemnation in HIM.

We can only truly be free when we have given HIM access to freedom in every area of our lives. Be healed, and be free, in JESUS’ Name.

‍

‍