“Have Direct Access to God”

Ephesians 2:17,18 (NIV)

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

In the reign of Henry VIII there was a young student at Cambridge, named Bilney. He became deeply anxious about his soul. The priests prescribed fast, penance, and other observances, but he grew worse and worse. He ultimately became possessed of a copy of the New Testament, and shut himself up in his room to study it. As he read the book he came to the words, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." He laid down the book, to think on what he had read. He thus states the result: — This one sentence, through God's inward teaching, did so rejoice my heart, being before almost in despair, that I soon found peace. "Jesus Christ saves!" he cried; "yes, Jesus Christ saves!" From that time he became a preacher of those "glad tidings," and at last he suffered martyrdom.

~ Biblical Illustrator

A band of missionaries and native teachers spent a night on Darnley Island, when a project was formed to establish a mission on Murray Island. Some of the natives of this island seemed specially intent on intimidating the teachers, and convincing them that a mission there was perfectly hopeless. "There are alligators there," said they, "and snakes and centipedes." "Hold!" said Tepeso, one of the teachers, "are there men there?" "Oh yes," was the reply, "there are men, but they are such dreadful savages that it is no use your thinking of living among them." "That will do," responded Tepeso. "Wherever there are men missionaries are bound to go."

~ W. Baxendale