The word “access” is only used three times in the New Testament and only by the apostle Paul. In Romans 5:2, we learn that through this access we have a new standing; in Ephesians 2:18, it is revealed that we have a new relationship. In the above verse, we will find that we have a new confidence.

Before we were saved, we dreaded the thought of meeting God. Our bad conscience caused us to draw back; indeed, we were alienated from Him. But now we can draw near to Him with confidence.

In fact, we not only have confidence in our access to Him but we can approach Him with “boldness.” This word means to “speak freely,” to “speak plainly with unreservedness of utterance.” The idea is that we can speak with plainness or frankness. Now, this would not be a remarkable thing when it comes to human relationships. However, according to the marvelous riches of God’s grace, it is revealed here that we can not only draw near to God, but that we can do so with “boldness”!

This is not the only time we are called to approach Him with boldness: we find it also in Hebrews 4:16 and 10:19. Obviously, God wants us to know this and to make use of our access through Christ to Him! Do we have trials or sorrows? Are we facing difficulties? Then we can “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). We can draw near corporately for worship because we have “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way” (10:19–20). We have access with boldness because it is a “new and living way”! The word here for “new” literally means, “freshly slaughtered, never growing old.” This Lord’s Day, as we gather around our Great High Priest, may we consider these things and not draw back, but draw near!