Our condition is pitiable, for we are all lost and gone astray. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” This is the bitter truth of life. We sinned and the Lord paid the penalty on our behalf. Unfortunately, we continue to get lost, but the Lord searches us out. Mathew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Ask means requesting something of another, often a superior. Seek means to endeavour to find a thing, to try to gain it, to strive after it with earnestness and zeal. Knock is a request for admission when the way is closed. Knocking is a two-way process. While Jesus seeks us out, it is also our duty to submit to Him and knock our way to salvation. The best way to knock is through prayer.
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This imagery is often interpreted as a metaphor for Christ presenting Himself as an invitation to faith and repentance. This is written to believers! In their lukewarmness, they had locked God out of their lives and kept Him waiting, ignorant of His presence and desires. When Jesus knocks on the door, it symbolizes God’s offer of grace for those who are willing to accept Him into their lives. It represents an open invitation from God, so we can choose whether or not to respond.
Scripture tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Jesus has made a way for us to be reconciled with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By trusting in His grace, we can receive forgiveness and a relationship with God. There are a few things we need to understand:
God is an embodiment of love and mercy. Even though we may have sinned or strayed from God’s path, He still loves us enough to come into our lives if we choose to heed to His call. Even when we feel alone and lost, God is ready to forgive us and be with us if only we open the door for Him.
This is an invitation to repentance, which we do while opening the door. By opening the door, we welcome Him into our lives, and then God comes in and forgives us of our sins. It also serves as a reminder that we can never be too far from His grace. By accepting His invitation, we are taking a step towards restoring our relationship with God.
Jesus knocking on the door is also associated with the coming judgment. The Bible tells us that there will be a day when every person must stand before God and give an account of his life. If we do not accept Jesus’ offer of salvation before that day arrives, then we are accountable for our own sins and will be cast into the lake of fire.
On the door of your heart, the Lord is knocking. Open the door and let Him in.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
laddertoheaven.co.in