Overcoming Trials with Boldness and Access Through Faith

For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith… (Ephesians 3:14-17)

Finding Boldness and Access Through Faith

The blood of Jesus grants us unprecedented access to the throne of God. While the Old Testament teaches that God heard the prayers of the righteous, such as Moses and Nehemiah, things have changed in Christ. When we stumble and sin, we do not need to offer a animal sacrifice; instead, we confess our sins through prayer. The Holy Spirit who dwells in us searches our hearts to make our communication more effective. If we pray according to God’s will, Jesus pledges to respond, giving us boldness and access through faith to the Father.

Strengthening the Inner Man for Spiritual Warfare

Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome, urging the Ephesians not to lose heart at his tribulations. The early church viewed its existence as a struggle against the powers of this world, specifically the Roman Empire and the forces of darkness behind it. Paul asked God to strengthen the spirits of the Ephesians through the ministry of the Holy Spirit so they could face trials with resolve. This strength is vital because we find boldness and access through faith to overcome the antagonistic forces that manipulate people and events to oppose Christ.

The Victory of Boldness and Access Through Faith

We secure our victory over antagonistic forces by Christ dwelling in our hearts. In 1 John 5:4, John says that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Paul describes faith as a shield that quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one, much like a Roman soldier’s shield protected his most vital parts from missiles. Our faith is placed in the one who resisted all temptations and defeated all enemies by His faithfulness. By our boldness and access through faith in this faithful Man, we can overcome this world.