THE LORD KNOCKS

REVELATION 3:20 NKJ 
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. 

The message to the churches continues in chapter three.  Jesus had a message for the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.  His pattern is to commend what they have done right, then correct what they have done wrong.   

Verse twenty is one of the more familiar verses in Revelation.  Remember, this is a revelation of Jesus and about Jesus, and this verse gives us insight into how He operates.   

The Lord knocks.  He does not command that the door be opened.  He does not go in uninvited.  If the door is opened, He goes in.  And He goes in to have fellowship with the occupant.  This gives us valuable insight as to what Jesus is all about.  He desires fellowship with us; no one is excluded.  He said if anyone will hear His voice and open the door, He will come in and dine.  That's an amazing thought.  With all the billions of people on earth, anyone can have a relationship with the Lord Jesus.  But they will have to open the door to Him.  He respects the individual's choice.  Jesus respects boundaries and authority.  He will not make someone receive Him and His salvation.  But whosoever will open the door to Him will be saved.  Even though He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he respects the right of everyone to choose.  So, He stands and knocks.   

APPLICATION: 

As I look at this verse, I see another application to the Lord knocking at our door.  We know we must open the door to Him to receive salvation.  But He stands and knocks on other areas also.  He will not make us receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  He will not make us forgive. He will not force us to obey Him in any area.  He will not make us serve, walk in love, give to His kingdom or read His words.  He will not make us, but He will knock.   

The very best thing we can do is open the door to Him in every area of our lives.  We want Him to be Lord over all our lives, not just a partial Lordship.   

This is a process.  And as we walk with Him and fellowship with Him, He will continue to show us areas we need to open to Him.  He is respectful and kind, and we are getting smarter, so we open the door wide.  Come on in Lord, my door is always open to You.   

PRAYER: 

Help me open or stay open to You, Lord, in eve