There's A Knock At The Door

 

There was a time years ago I needed to make a decision regarding a new front door for my home. I debated whether to repaint the old door, purchase a fancy door, or buy a plain door with a peephole.  Eventually, I made the decision to purchase a simple door with a peephole. For a reasonable price, I would have the security and comfort of being able to see who was knocking at my door before deciding whether to open it. After all, a knock on the door by itself tells me nothing about who is standing on the other side and prevents me from making an informed decision. Making an informed decision was important to Jesus as well. In the book of Revelation 3:20 (NASB), we read that Jesus is standing at a door, knocking: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” 

Paul teaches us in Romans 3:11 that no one seeks God. Rather, Scripture teaches us that because of His glorious mercy and grace, God seeks us! This is clear in Jesus’s willingness to stand behind the closed door and knock. Therefore, many understand this illustration as being representative of our individual hearts. Either way, we look at it, Jesus does not leave the person behind the door wondering who is knocking. As the story continues, we find that Jesus is not only knocking, He is also speaking from the other side, “If any man hears my voice…” Have you ever wondered what Jesus was saying from outside the closed door? The previous verse gives us a bit of a clue as He admonishes the church, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). And yet, we are still given a choice: even if we hear His voice, He leaves it up to us whether to open the door and invite Him in.

So what happens after we open the door? Does He bust through in anger and start pointing out our shortcomings? No, He enters with love and mercy. Some may not open the door for fear Jesus intends to condemn us for all that is wrong with our lives; however, Scripture makes it clear this is not the case at all. We have doors everywhere on cars, buildings, houses, storage lockers, etc. and they are opened either automatically or manually with our hands. However, they have to be open in order for us to enter therein. There is also a door to our heart that must be opened also! For some of you, Jesus has been knocking at the door of your hearts for a long time and is still knocking. The verse goes on to explain that Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts so that, …" He [will dine] with me.” The NLT says it this way, “we will share a meal together as friends.” Jesus has come for a relationship, NOT CONDEMNATION. He does not force His way in, or arrive in order to condemn us; rather, Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts in order to present a gift – the gift of Himself so that through Him, we may become children of God. Take notice of the picture I posted above. Look closely. There is no door knob on Jesus' side of the door. Why? It illustrates that Jesus has no access to your heart until YOU invite Him in! He will never force Himself through the door. You must willingly accept Him. Simply said, Jesus stands at your hearts' door and knocks because your permission is sacred. He will not force his way in because LOVE HAS TO BE CHOSEN. 

“He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God” John 1:10-12 (NLT). God won't force you to enjoy the plan He has for you. He gives you the choice to accept or reject His salvation. The clock of all of our lives is ticking. Every day we are a day older and a day closer to our death date. Jesus is knocking! Can you hear Jesus knocking and calling out your name?  If you think the world in which we now live is chaotic, crazy, and unstable, imagine living in a world where there are no Christians? Well, this is what the world would be like when Christ returns to take away His people. The world will be left in a state of chaos with only the unsaved. Today is the day to answer the knock at the door of your heart for if you don't, you will be left behind when Christ returns. Which will it be for you today? An open door for Christ to enter in and commune with you or a closed-door that will keep Him shut out of your heart and keep you shut out of eternity forever?

I urge, beg, and plead with you to open up the door of your heart to Christ today. "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of Our Lives." (author Bill Hayes)

Until He comes,

-Pat-