Access Granted

Peace with God, access to grace, and God’s love are yours when you say yes to Jesus.

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
(Romans 5:8)

When I was growing up, I owned a pet chameleon. One of the coolest things about it was its ability to look in two directions at once. While one eye could be focused on a bug crawling across the floor, the other eye was watching something entirely different. It was like having two perspectives at the same time.

But even that doesn’t come close to the way God sees. His vision isn’t limited to two directions. He sees everything, everywhere, all at once. He doesn’t just dwell in church buildings but sees the world in its entirety. He sees into every heart and every moment. More personally, He sees you…where you are, what you carry, and what you long for. That’s why the gospel is called Good News, because once you begin to understand it, everything changes.

In Romans, Paul reminds us of how deeply we need God and what we receive when we say yes to Him: peace, access, and love.

• Peace with God. To be justified means God removes the guilt and penalty of our sin and declares us righteous—not because we’ve earned it, but because Jesus paid the debt we never could. This peace isn’t just a feeling but a restored relationship with God, the relationship we were created for.
• Access to grace. It’s like a hotel keycard. When you check in, you gain access to more than just your room. You also gain access to the pool, the gym, and the lounge. But the key has to work! Before Jesus, we didn’t have access to God’s grace. But now, through faith, we’ve been handed the key.
• God’s love. Paul says God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love came not when we had our act together but when we were still sinners—unlovable, broken, and far from Him. Now, no matter where we go, we carry His presence with us.

So if you’re wondering whether the gospel still has power, it does. If you feel like you’ve messed up too much or waited too long, you haven’t. Peace, access, and love are still waiting for you. Jesus already paid the price. All you have to do is say yes.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You see us. Not just where we are, but where You’re leading us. Thank You for peace that covers our past, grace that carries us today, and love that holds us in every moment. Help us to walk boldly in the gifts You’ve given. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Listen to the sermon: Breaking Down the Wall

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

While in Spain this past July, I had extended time to pray for both our new and returning students at Moody. I prayed that God would help them overcome fears, remove financial barriers, open doors for international visas, and most of all, prepare their hearts and minds spiritually for this new school year.

Each semester, we welcome extraordinary students from across the country and around the world. I feel the weight—and the privilege—of cultivating a culture where they can thrive both academically and spiritually.

Please join us in praying for these next-generation leaders, especially during these crucial first few weeks, that they would lay a strong foundation for all God has in store during their time at Moody Bible Institute.