R.C. Sproul

According to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, that eternal purpose,

was fulfilled and accomplished in Christ, in whom we now have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him."

Again, in Romans, when he talks about the fruit of justification, therefore being justified, what?

We have peace with God.

access into his presence.

And we're called to come boldly into the presence of God.

That is to come with confidence.

But let me pause for a minute.

There's a thin line between confidence and arrogance.

We are to come boldly into the presence of God, confident that we've been adopted as children of

so confident that we can say, Abba, Father, but we still come humbly and not acting as if God is the great commoner who is at our level.

That's blasphemy.

He is still altogether holy, and we still, though we come with confidence and boldness,

we still come with a holy fear, a sense of reverence, a sense of adoration because of who He is.

Therefore I ask that you, he's writing now at the Ephesians, do not lose heart at my tribulations for you.

Don't be discouraged because you hear that I'm languishing

In a Roman prison situation, I'm here for you, and that I'm here for you is not for your shame.

It's for your glory.

What a statement of encouragement to the people to whom He ministered, whom He loved, and to whom He was happy to suffer in their behalf.

There are those moments when we contemplate the mystery of Christ, the greatness of God, the secrets of the workings and operation of the Holy Spirit, that it causes us to tremble.