Knocking on the Door?
Or ‘the significance of knocking’ 4/3/2019
Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries Middle TN ( vmmtn.com )
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:20
The significance of knocking is described in a relatively simple matter. In order to receive a response, one must first ask, or in this case “knock”. When we look at the verse John 1:12 we note the word “receive” there. We must receive (Jesus) what we were asking about. Or calling about (again, Jesus).
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13). When we “call upon His name” we are in essence, ‘knocking’.
A little girl was selling cookies for her Sunday School Class and she stood at the front door of a neighbor’s home, Mrs. Brown, and rang the bell. There was no response so she rang the bell again after a minute or so. After the third attempt, and 5 minutes of time passed, she gave up and started down the front steps. While she was walking to the next door neighbor’s house, she saw a car backing out of the drive way where she just visited. The car stopped when the driver saw the little girl walking. The driver, Mrs. Brown, recognized the little girl and said hello. After Mrs. Brown found out that the little girl had been ringing her door bell repeatedly, she replied to the child and said, “Dearie, the door bell is out of order. You should have knocked or called out to me. I would have heard you”.
The child “thought” that she was doing the right thing to get a response however, because of her youth, she didn’t use her own voice or actions to bring someone to the door. She trusted in a “device” to receive a response. This time pushing a button didn’t work as it should have. We must use the functions that God gave us when we were created and that is by voice or by action of knocking.
We can read God’s word, and listen to God’s word, watch someone preaching God’s word, and even lay our hand on the Bible, but there will be no response until we “knock”. Or to call upon His name. And “yes”, I believe what Rom 10:17 says (faith cometh by hearing), but I also know that God wants to hear from us and His desire is for us to show Him that we need Him and are searching for Him. Don’t just trust ‘watching someone on TV’ or ‘listening to someone on the radio. This may sound a little ‘far fetched’ but my point is that we need to take ‘personal action’ so that our Lord will act. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Rom 10:9-10) You are ‘taking action’ and knocking on the door. You are calling out to Him. Trust Jesus. Get in His word and get to know Him.
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Luke 11:9).
This verse was used by Jesus in a certain situation dealing with the lost however, it also applies to those who desire salvation through Christ. Salvation is not automatic! And it is NOT by works (which includes infant baptism). It is through God’s grace by faith in Jesus Christ. He has already paid our sin debt on the cross and all we have to do is “Receive that gift” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Luke 11:10).
Friend, if you have not “received” Christ as your personal Savior, Knock! Call upon Him now. Jesus is waiting. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (and daughters) of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).
Repent (turn) from the ways (your sins) of this world and call upon the Lord while there is still time. We do not know the time, but it is coming soon. Jesus said, but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Heaven is real and so is hell. Jesus spoke of it more than anyone. You must be born again (John 3:3,7)
Call out to Jesus today. Knock on that door for He is the only way to heaven and life everlasting. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (Jn 14:6). If you don’t “call upon His name”, or ‘receive Him’, you are rejecting Him. Please do not refuse God's wonderful and gracious pardon. Jesus is waiting for you to knock. He will respond (Rev 3:20).
I hope to see you there.
Thanks for “Taking Five” – Gary Waddell – Victory Ministries Middle Tennessee
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