“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5–6).
The building of the Tower of Babel was the human effort to find a way to restore a relationship with God, the problem is that behind that idea was also the idea of building a name for themselves. Every time that it happens it becomes Babylon. Only one name can be exalted, there is only one Way to the Father. Nobody should ever be between you and God! There is only one intermediary/door and that is Christ.
The beginning of the history of religion is men trying to build a name for themselves and trying to reach God on their own terms. In one sense you can think of a person trying to control people’s access to God. Every day I need to be watching in what ways I may be trying to reach to God and creating a name for myself. Thinking that my efforts may be able to reconcile me to God.
“They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”” (Genesis 11:4, NASB95)
This is the beginning of religion and Babylon. We need to be doing the opposite of that. Sadly, the building up of “Towers of Babel” continues and humankind continues to think that by their religious efforts, and practices they may build a name for themselves and exalt themselves above others.
Over and over we read in the letters of Paul that he was writing to warn the churches not to fall back into old religious practices that would lead them away from the true Gospel, the real good news, that it is never based on what we can do that we can be reconciled to God, but it is completely and always based on what Christ did as the one and only mediator between God and men.
“And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” (Ephesians 2:17–19, NASB95)
“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:11–12, NASB95)
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, NASB95)
Galatians 5:1-3
Ephesians 2:8-9
Titus 3:4-7
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