Access Granted
There is a song called “Access” by Aware Worship featuring Nicole Binion & Calvin Nowell that just came out not too long ago. This song has been really ministering to me and has prompted me to really think about access to God. What is access to God? How do I access God? Am I even accessing Him in the way that I think I am? As I began to search for answers to these questions and research access to God, I realized that many believers struggle with truly and genuinely accessing God in a way that is personal, consistent, and transformative. Life is noisy and the world is full of distractions that keep us from truly tapping into our access. The concept of accessing God is the core of Christian faith, yet it is often misunderstood or taken for granted. The good thing is as believer’s we have unrestricted access to God. But walking in the access we have requires some things on our end. Intentionality, true faith in Him, and a heart posture that desires are keys that give us access.
Understanding Access to God
Access to God is the ability we have to freely approach Him without barriers, to commune with Him, receive His guidance, experience His presence, or whatever is needed. Before Christ, access to God was limited. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). Jesus laying down His life on the cross tore the veil that separated God from humanity which signified that access was open to all who believed in Him (Matthew 27:51). As the song says, “No more distance in between us”, we have FULL ACCESS.
The Significance of the Veil Being Torn
When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. This act was not just a symbolic event but a divine declaration that the separation between God and man was removed. No longer do we need an earthly mediator. Jesus Himself is our High Priest, sitting at the right hand of the Father and interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14-16). This means that no matter where we are, we have the privilege of being able to go before God at any time and never get declined.
Ways to Access God
1. Through Jesus Christ
Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). Without Him, true intimacy with God is impossible. He is the bridge that reconciles us to God, making it a requirement that we accept Him as Lord and Savior to fully experience divine access.
2. Through Prayer
Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have that allows us to access God. It is not just a Christian checklist item but a personal conversation with our Heavenly Father. Philippians 4:6 instructs us to bring our concerns to Him, knowing that He hears us. Whether it is a nice, fancy prayer with big words or an ugly cry from deep within our heart, God hears and is always near ready to listen.
3. Through the Word of God
God reveals Himself through His Word. Just as prayer is us talking to Him, the Word is Him talking to us. The Bible is not just a historical or moral guide; it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Through Scripture, we gain insight into His character, His promises, His will for our lives, and all we need to know regarding being in Him. Meditating on and obeying His Word brings us closer to Him.
4. Through Worship and Praise
Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. Worship is not just about singing songs. Worship shifts our focus from ourselves to God. It acknowledges His greatness, and creates an atmosphere where His presence dwells.
5. Through the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is our helper, guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). He convicts, comforts, and empowers us to walk in alignment with God’s perfect will. Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit deepens our access to God, His presence, and revelations of His Word.
6. Through Obedience and Surrender
There is a line in the song I mentioned at the start that says, “When I turn my agenda into holy surrender”. Walking in obedience to God opens the door for deeper intimacy with Him. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). When we yield our lives to Him in obedience, we position ourselves to hear Him more clearly and experience His presence more on a more consistent basis.
Barriers to Accessing God
Although access to God is freely given through Christ, there are barriers that can hinder our connection with Him:
Sin and Unrepentance – Sin creates separation between us and God (Isaiah 59:2). While grace covers our sins, unrepentant hearts can lower our sensitivity to His presence. We cannot take advantage of His grace and continue to stay in sin willfully.
Distractions and Busyness – The cares of life can keep us from prioritizing time with God. It is important to set aside intentional moments to seek Him. We have to do better at not giving God the bare minimum when it comes to dealing with the business of life. When life gets busy, time with God is usually the first thing we cut. We make excuses or empty promises such as “I will just double up tomorrow” or something similar to that. Tomorrow comes and the cycle is repeated. We must remove that barrier by being intentional with time and removing distractions.
Doubt and Unbelief – Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When we doubt His love or ability to hear us, it weakens our connection. Doubt and belief hinders our faith. We give up our faith to walk in doubt and unbelief, but faith requires movement. We have to let faith overcome doubt so we can continue to walk forward.
4. Lack of Spiritual Discipline – A relationship with God requires nurturing. Just as human relationships need time and effort, so does our connection with God. God only asks for 10% which is 2 hours and 40 mins a day. We spend at least an hour watching an episode of Netflix. It is time to be disciplined and make the sacrifices needed in our relationship with God.
The Benefits of Accessing God
When we cultivate a lifestyle of seeking God, we experience:
Peace that is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7)
Guidance, wisdom, and direction (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Strength, protection, and preservation (Isaiah 41:10)
Embracing of His love and presence (Romans 8:38-39)
Transformation and a better life (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Living with Continual Access to God
Having access to God is not meant to be an occasional encounter but a continual reality. This requires:
A mindset shift – Recognizing that God is always with us, not just in church or during quiet time.
Daily intentionality – Setting aside time for God and time to commune with Him.
Community and accountability – Surrounding ourselves with a circle of people who are believers, push us into the things of God, and have no issue holding us accountable or checking us as needed.
A heart of gratitude – Thanking God for the privilege of access keeps us from taking it for granted.
God desires a relationship more than the human mind can imagine. He has made Himself fully available through Christ, and the invitation to draw near remains open. As Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” No matter what stage of your walk you find yourself in, He is waiting with open arms. The question is will you use the access He has given you? I want to challenge you to take time today to seek God with an open heart. In whatever way it looks like for you, draw near to Him and experience the fullness of the access He has freely given you.
ACCESS HAS BEEN GRANTED!!!
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