"...I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Revelation 3:8
The book of Revelation has much to say about doors - both open and closed. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus stands outside a closed door knocking for admittance. In Revelation 4:1 a door is opened in Heaven and John is caught away. In Revelation 19:11 Heaven is opened again and Jesus comes as conqueror riding upon a white horse. Today the doors are being closed upon the earth. Men's hearts are becoming harder and harder. Thousands of churches have no room for Jesus as the Son of God, Saviour, and Lord. There are thousands of churches where a sinner could go year after year and never learn how to be saved. And after a man is truly born again, he would have a hard time getting into one of the "religious social centers."
A poor simple laborer was wonderfully saved, and soon after felt that he must seek fellowship and identify himself with a church. There was only one church nearby, a beautiful and impressive building and the "nicest" people. The minister was a great orator, the choir the finest in the land, the organist of national renown. The poor man, knowing not he difference, as a babe in Christ, sought membership in this church, but when they saw his threadbare suit, they ignored him. He tried again and again, only to be ignored. And then one day (so the legend goes) he met Jesus and told Him of his difficulty. The Lord gently replied, "My child, don't let it trouble you; I Myself have tried to get into that church for years, without success." It is just a story, but a pointed one. How much more important to come through Him who said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9).
"Bread For Each Day"
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