Faith is the Doorway to the Fire

“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” — Ephesians 3:17 (NIV)

What an astonishing thought.

God’s ultimate temple was never meant to be merely buildings of stone, gold and architecture. His great desire has always been to dwell within people. The altar He longs to ignite most deeply is the human heart. Paul says Christ dwells in us through faith. In other words, trust becomes the doorway through which the presence of God settles deeply within our lives.

And perhaps this answers one of the most common questions believers ask me:

“How can I experience God’s presence daily, not just during church meetings or special moments?”

The answer is wonderfully simple, though not always easy: faith.

Not hype. Not emotional striving. Not religious performance.

Trust.

The writer to the Hebrews tells us:

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…” — Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Then again:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…” — Hebrews 10:19 (NIV)

Notice the repeated emphasis: confidence.

The blood of Jesus grants us access to God’s presence, but faith is what allows us to actually approach the altar boldly and remain there confidently.

Many believers intellectually believe God forgives them, yet emotionally still stand at a distance from Him. Shame, fear and unbelief keep them hovering around the outer courts spiritually, unsure whether they are truly welcome near the fire.

But faith steps forward.

Faith says: “I belong here because Jesus made a way.”

Faith approaches the altar expecting encounter rather than rejection.

Living Close to the Fire

This is one of the great differences between religion and relationship. Religion constantly worries whether God is pleased enough to receive us. Faith rests in Christ’s finished work and comes boldly near because the sacrifice has already been accepted.

And honestly, I sometimes explain this to our church using some wonderfully terrible illustrations!

I speak about our need to build a carriageway of confidence between us and God. That we need to lay train tracks of trust so the locomotive of His presence can roll powerfully into our lives. I talk about digging tunnels of truth in our minds, and constructing bridges of belief and funnels of faith through which heaven can pour into the human heart.

At this point the congregation usually groans politely at my terribly corny analogies!

But beneath the humour lies something deeply important: There must be living, moment by moment confidence between you and God.

We must take negative, anxious, shameful thoughts captive, as they destroy the vibrant link between our hearts and heaven. But the altar burns where trust remains open.

Fear closes the heart. Shame hides from God. Condemnation withdraws from His presence. Unbelief keeps people distant. But faith draws near.

Faith enters the Holy Place. Faith kneels confidently at the altar. Faith lingers in prayer. Faith worships expectantly. Faith believes God truly desires to meet with His people. And these thought patterns of faith turn our inner world into a temple where God dwells.

And this changes everything.

When faith fills the heart, prayer stops becoming mere religious duty and becomes encounter. Worship stops being performance and becomes communion. Scripture stops being information and becomes living bread. The Christian life becomes less about occasionally visiting God’s presence and more about carrying awareness of Him continually.

This is what God has always desired: not merely occasional visitors to the altar, but people who learn to live there.

People who walk through ordinary days quietly conscious that Christ dwells within them. People who cultivate continual awareness of His nearness. People who trust Him enough to expect His voice, His comfort, His leading and His power in everyday life.

And perhaps this is why faith matters so much.

Faith is not merely how we begin the Christian life. It is how we continually live close to the fire.

An extract from The ALTAR by Jarrod Cooper. Order Your Copy Below 👇

Believe & Confess Meditation & Declaration

Christ dwells richly within my heart through faith, and I will live continually aware of His presence (Ephesians 3:17). I will approach the throne of grace boldly and confidently because Jesus has made a way for me (Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19). Fear, shame and condemnation no longer keep me distant from God because I am fully accepted in Christ (Romans 8:1). I will walk by faith and not by sight, trusting the nearness, goodness and leading of the Holy Spirit daily (2 Corinthians 5:7). My heart will remain open, surrendered and expectant before the Lord as I live close to the altar of His presence (Psalm 27:4). God’s Word will become living bread to my soul, and prayer will become continual communion with Him (Matthew 4:4). I will cultivate a life of ongoing trust so the fire of God continues burning brightly within me (Leviticus 6:12-13).

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THE ALTAR

Creating lives & cultures ready to host the glory of God.

Something is stirring.

Across the world, hunger for God’s presence is rising—and many are asking: how do we truly host His glory?

In The Altar, Jarrod Cooper calls us back to the place where heaven meets earth—the altar. A place of encounter, devotion, and transformation.

This book will help you:
• Deepen your personal encounter with God
• Build a lifestyle of worship
• Hear His voice clearly
• Create cultures that carry His presence

This isn’t just a book—it’s a call.
When the altar is restored, the fire falls again.

 Order Your Copy Here