Will You Open The Door?
By Susan Barnes
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me". Revelation 3:20
This is a very familiar verse to most of us, as it is often used in gospel invitations. We tend to overlook verse 14 which tells us that these words were originally intended for the church at Laodicea. We feel more comfortable using them with non-Christians than with ourselves. Yet in context this verse is addressed to Christians.
I have heard our heart described as being like a house with many rooms. We become Christians and let Jesus into the "lounge room" and then try to keep him there. But there are many other "rooms" that Jesus wants access to. Many other areas of our lives where Jesus wants admittance.
Sometimes giving Jesus access into a "room" means he has to clean out the junk we have been collecting for years. Junk like resentment and bitterness or perhaps less obvious sins like stinginess or overindulgence. Although we may not like the junk, we find that we have become so accustom to it being there, that we are attached to it. Having it cleaned out can be a painful process but worthwhile in the light of God's promise in this verse that the Lord will come and eat with us – a picture of rich fellowship and blessing.
A promise worth pursuing.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me". Revelation 3:20
This is a very familiar verse to most of us, as it is often used in gospel invitations. We tend to overlook verse 14 which tells us that these words were originally intended for the church at Laodicea. We feel more comfortable using them with non-Christians than with ourselves. Yet in context this verse is addressed to Christians.
I have heard our heart described as being like a house with many rooms. We become Christians and let Jesus into the "lounge room" and then try to keep him there. But there are many other "rooms" that Jesus wants access to. Many other areas of our lives where Jesus wants admittance.
Sometimes giving Jesus access into a "room" means he has to clean out the junk we have been collecting for years. Junk like resentment and bitterness or perhaps less obvious sins like stinginess or overindulgence. Although we may not like the junk, we find that we have become so accustom to it being there, that we are attached to it. Having it cleaned out can be a painful process but worthwhile in the light of God's promise in this verse that the Lord will come and eat with us – a picture of rich fellowship and blessing.
A promise worth pursuing.
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