Exploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism

Search
Close this search box.

Introduction

Recently I was reading some Christian prayers that were written back in the 1600s, and even earlier. As I read these prayers I could barely recognise a faith that resembles my own. These formal prayers seemed to be directed to a distant deity, far too lofty to personally relate to. And the words were presented in a pleading manner, with little warmth or affection and with little assurance or joy.

As I read the New Testament letters to the Ephesians and to the Hebrews, however, I get a very different impression of our relationship with God. God wants us to approach him with confidence. And he wants to freely bless his children. We do not need to grovel. And we don’t have to use formal or fancy words when communicating with him.

Easy and Confident Access into God’s Presence

The gospel is about how Jesus has made access to God easy for repentant believing people. In Ephesians 3:12, Paul says that in the Lord Jesus Christ “we have boldness and access with confidence.” The writer to the Hebrews says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us … let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings …” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

The Greek word used for “boldness” (Eph. 3:12) and “confidence” (Heb. 10:19) is parrēsia. It has senses of freedom, frankness, and openness.[1] God does not want us to hold back and be timid. He does not want us to hide from his presence because of fear or shame or feelings of unworthiness (Gen. 3:8-10). God wants us to come to him openly and honestly, assured of our salvation and confident in our relationship with him.

Glory and Transformation in God’s Presence

After Moses had spent time in God’s Presence, the Israelites were afraid to look at his face which temporarily shone with glory.  So Moses had to cover his face with a veil (Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Cor. 3:7). In 2 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul speaks about the lasting glory of “the New Covenant of the Spirit.” Paul wrote that, because of the hope of this lasting glory, we can be bold (parrēsia) (2 Cor. 3:12).

As New Covenant people, the glory of God is not something to fear. We can have freedom and boldness as we contemplate the Lord’s glory with unveiled faces and are “being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18 NIV). We need to draw near to God with openness and confidence if we are to be powerfully transformed by his Holy Spirit.

Gratitude and Humility in God’s Presence

While God wants us to be free and confident in the way we approach him, we should never be presumptive or arrogant in the way we relate to him. Paul’s response to our easy access to God was not brashness or arrogance. Paul’s response was one of overwhelming gratitude and humility. He wrote, “For this reason, I bow my knee to the Father …” (Eph. 3:14). And with that attitude, he prayed for blessings according to God’s “riches in glory” (Eph. 3:16ff).

Our access to God’s presence and glory is solely based on Jesus’s righteousness and his redemptive sacrifice; it’s not because of any goodness of our own (John 14:6; Eph. 2:8-9). There is no room for human pride in God’s Kingdom. Our paltry pride cannot stand before God’s holiness, majesty, and glory: “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5b).

Because of God’s favour and grace we are adopted as his children and made coheirs with Jesus Christ of an incomprehensibly glorious future (Eph. 1:18). Plus, we become the recipients of all kinds of rich, spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). But we must be humble towards God and we must be humble towards others if we are to fully experience God’s favour.

Blessing and Joy in God’s Presence

We do not need to plead to a distant deity to receive God’s favour and blessing. God is not distant; he draws near and lovingly welcomes us into his presence, through Jesus. We can enter into his presence with assurance and confidence.  Moreover, we should enter with joy!

The Psalmist knew this joy and wrote: “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11 cf. Psalm 21:6).

As redeemed and beloved children of God, God is always with us by his Holy Spirit. His presence richly comforts, guides, and empowers us. We need to confidently and gratefully accept these blessings.

We also need to rediscover greater depths of these riches. Many churches in the western world seem to be going through a “dry” period, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit is barely perceptible rather than glorious. How can we become more aware of God’s presence, glory and riches in the life of the church? How can you become more aware of his presence, glory and riches in your own life?


Footnote

[1] The Greek word parrēsia means boldness, confidence, assurance, frankness and openness, etc. It is often, but not always, used in the New Testament with the context of bold and confident speech.

© 10th of February 2012, Margaret Mowczko
All Rights Reserved


Related Articles

Seeking the Glory of God
The Fullness of Christ
Following Jesus, Led by the Holy Spirit
Some Thoughts on Prayer
Prayer and Worship

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Marg's Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Loading

Join Marg's Patreon

Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?

Archives