Who’s Knocking
Many times in my life I have heard pastors use the passage in Revelation “Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 CEV https://bible.com/bible/392/rev.3.20.CEV. As an invitation to people to start a relationship with Jesus or “be saved”. The context is not that, however.
The context is it is being spoken to a church in the city of Laodicea. In the verse before Jesus calls on this Church to REPENT. They think they don’t need anything but Jesus says they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked”. Rev. 3:17 NIV
Shocking, isn’t it? Jesus outside His church asking to come in while those inside think they have everything they need and are blind to their real condition. In fact they seem proud of themselves.
Could it be that congregations, leaders, even pastors are pridefully unaware that Jesus is outside? That Jesus, who is supposed to be the head of his church is not included in the group. The church continues on its path thinking they are the people of God and all the time Jesus is outside begging to be allowed to come inside and take his place as Lord.
They follow the flow of culture, tradition, trends, charismatic leaders, or popularity but do not follow the path of Jesus, which is most clearly outlined in The Sermon on the Mount.
Looking at the news, I am afraid it may be more common than we think. Take time to listen and see who might be knocking at you and your church’s door.
But then who am I to judge? I have enough trouble keeping my own house in order.