by Ronnie Hewitt
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
This is a famous passage of Scripture that many people have used in the context of an invitation to know Christ as Savior. They use it showing that Jesus doesn’t force Himself upon you. He knocks, and waits for you to ask Him in. But, looking at this scripture in its context, we see Jesus is dealing with a church that was considered to be lukewarm.
The church at Laodicea in its self-sufficient prosperity and worldliness (vv. 15-18) had excluded the Lord from its congregation. Christ’s invitation, spoken from outside the door, is a request for fellowship with any individual who will repent of and overcome the spiritual lukewarmness of the church. The Lord desires fellowship with us; but, the opening of the door for fellowship is our responsibility. If we don’t open our hearts to Him, He will not make forcible entry. If we do, He promises to manifest Himself to us, pardon our iniquities, and love us freely. Will you invite Him into your situation today?