The Eight Step Ladder to the Presence of God

🌅 The Eight Step Ladder to the Presence of God

A Clear, Upward Pathway to Jesus Christ — Our Living Savior and Intercessor

“Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” — Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is not distant. He is alive. He is ministering for you at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 8:1). The pathway to Him is not complicated — it is deeply personal, relational, and transformative. Drawing from the New International Version (NIV) and the Spirit-led counsel of Ellen G. White, here is a clear, upward journey — Steps to Glory, Steps to the Presence of God.

1️⃣ Awakening — Recognizing Your Need

Scripture (NIV):
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23

The first step upward is humility, awareness that we are scoundrels, thereby accepting responsibility for the choices made. We acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves. It is only through the free grace and mercy of Christ, accepting His life, death and resurrection as our own.

Sin is not merely mistakes or the bad choices made— sin is separation from the Source of Life.

Ellen White writes in Steps to Christ:

“The first step to Christ is taken through the drawing of the Holy Spirit.”

“I have seen the tender love that God has for his people, and it is very great.”

Conviction is not condemnation — it is love of the Father through His Son Jesus drawing you into His presence, calling you home.

2️⃣ Repentance — Turning the Heart Toward God

Scripture (NIV):
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” — Acts 3:19

Repentance is more than sorrow; it is a change of direction. It is the prodigal son rising and returning to the home that he so shamelessly left. (Luke 15).

Ellen White describes repentance as:

“A hatred of sin and a turning away from it.”

True repentance is empowered by grace. We do not clean ourselves up to come to Christ — we come to Christ to be cleansed, wooed by the grace, mercy and love of God.

“Genuine repentance springs from a sense of the offensive character of sin. These general confessions are not the fruit of true humiliation of soul before God. They leave sinners with a self-complacent spirit to go on as before, until the conscience becomes hardened, and warnings that once aroused them produce hardly a feeling of danger, and after a time their sinful course appears right. All too late their sins will find them out, in that day when they shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever. There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they are proved, and confessing sins known only to ourselves and God.”

3️⃣ Confession — Opening the Heart Vulnerably, Fully

Scripture (NIV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Confession restores intimacy. Nothing is hidden from Him, yet He invites us to speak freely.

Ellen White reminds us:

“Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed.”

“True confession is specific, heartfelt, and essential for forgiveness, involving humbling the soul before God and making restitution to those wronged. It must be sincere, not forced, and accompanied by a hatred of sin and a commitment to forsake it. Confession requires addressing sins to God alone, to individuals, or publicly, depending on the nature of the offense.

Jesus, our High Priest, receives that confession in heaven. He does not turn away. He intercedes.”

4️⃣ Faith — Trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior

Scripture (NIV):
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

Faith is trusting His promises more than your feelings.

Jesus is currently ministering at the right hand of God (Hebrews 8:1–2). He presents His righteousness in place of your guilt. When you accept Him:

• His death becomes your pardon.
• His resurrection becomes your hope.
• His intercession becomes your security.

Ellen White beautifully states:

“When we trust God fully, when we rely upon the merits of Jesus as a sin-pardoning Savior, we shall receive all the help that we can desire.”

“Faith is trusting God—believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good”.

“Confound not faith and feeling together. They are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise… The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit”.

“True faith relies on Christ and is manifested by obedience to God’s requirements”.

“Faith is the living link that binds the soul to Christ”.

5️⃣ Surrender — Yielding the Whole Life

Scripture (NIV):
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” — Romans 12:1

Surrender is daily. It is not weakness; it is alignment with divine strength.

Ask:
“Lord, what would You have me do today?”

Ellen White writes:

“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work.”

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness”

This is true relationship — yielding of self surrendering all to the will of God. Letting go. Let God.

6️⃣ Communion — Developing a Personal Relationship

Scripture (NIV):
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” — John 15:4

A relationship with Jesus grows through:

📖 Daily Scripture

Not hurried reading — but listening.

🙏 Prayer

Conversational, honest, frequent.

🎵 Praise

Gratitude in word or song transforms the heart.

🤝 Fellowship

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” — Hebrews 10:24

Ellen White:

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend.”

“Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily , hourly—by abiding in Him—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the author, but the finisher of our faith .It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us , not only at the beginning and the end of our course , but at every step of the way …FLB 125.2

Jesus desires friendship, not mere obedience.

7️⃣ Obedience — Walking in the Light

Scripture (NIV):
“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15

Obedience is the fruit of love — not the means of earning salvation.

The law reveals God’s character. Christ writes it upon the heart (Hebrews 8:10).

Ellen White affirms:

“The law of God is an expression of His very nature.”

“Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3). “He that saith, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him,” (chap. 2:4). Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.

We do not earn salvation by our obedience, for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. “You know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abides in Him sins not” (chap. 3:5, 6). Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. “Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous” (verse 7). Righteousness is defined by the standard of God’s holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai.

The so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. “By grace are you are saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). But “faith, if it hath not works, is dead” (James 2:17). Jesus said of Himself before He came to earth, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). And just before He ascended again to heaven, He declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). The Scriptures says, “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3)….”

When we walk in obedience, we reflect His glory.

8️⃣ Perseverance — Looking to the Heavenly Sanctuary

Scripture (NIV):
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” — Hebrews 12:2
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.” — Hebrews 6:19

Christ is ministering now in heaven — not inactive, but actively interceding. Your name is before Him.

Ellen White wrote extensively about Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, reminding believers that:

• Judgment is not terror for the surrendered soul.
• Christ stands as Advocate.
• His righteousness covers the repentant believer.

“Everyone is to keep himself separate from the world, which is full of iniquity. We are not to walk with God for a time, and then part from His company, and walk in the sparks of our own kindling. There must be a firm continuance, a perseverance in acts of faith. We are to praise God, to show forth His glory in a righteous character. No one of us will gain the victory without persevering, untiring effort, proportionate to the value of the object which we seek, even eternal life.”

• Character Building: Character is not formed in a day but requires persistent effort and firm, daily cultivation.
• Perseverance in Prayer: Prayer is a condition for receiving spiritual blessings; it must be constant and watchful.
• The Christian Battle: The Christian life is a daily, relentless struggle (“I die daily”) requiring a “good fight” and constant reliance on God’s strength.
• Overcoming Difficulties: One should never cease through discouragement, as hard study and toiling lead to ultimate victory.
• Essential Qualities: Perseverance, along with integrity and firmness, is necessary to resist evil and bear adversity. 

Hope is not wishful thinking — it is anchored the Solid Rock, in the living interceding High Priest, Jesus Christ.

💛 The Climb Is Not Alone

You do not ascend by your strength. Each step is empowered by grace.

The pathway upward looks like this:

Awakening → Repentance → Confession → Faith → Surrender → Communion → Obedience → Perseverance → Glory

And at the summit?

Not achievement.
Not pride.
Not self-righteousness.

But a Person.

Jesus Christ — Lord, Savior, Friend, Intercessor.

A Personal Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I come just as I am. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Write Your law upon my heart. Teach me to walk with You daily. Thank You that You are ministering for me at the right hand of the Father. I place my life in Your hands — today and forever. Amen.”

Jesus welcomes you home pilgrim!