The Bible writes about various types of open doors.
The Apostle Paul said: “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ.” – Colossians 4:2-4
This was his prayer request of the Colossian Christians, that God would open the door of His testimony. Paul had written earlier about “when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord…’ – 2 Corinthians 2:12. The purpose of an open door is thus to preach the gospel of Christ and to speak the mystery of Christ.
Furthermore, these passages indicate that such doors are opened by the Lord, not by human devices. In fact, Christ Himself is, “ ‘He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens.’ ” – Revelation 3:7. Doors of testimony are opened by the Lord in answer to prayer, but He also specifies three criteria for keeping the door opened. “ ‘I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.’ ” – Revelation 3:8.
These conditions mean, literally, having little strength of one’s own and thus depending only on God, jealously guarding the integrity of God’s Word, and upholding the name of Christ as Creator, Saviour and coming King.
Even when the door is kept open by God, there is no assurance of ease in entering it. Paul wrote that “a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” – 1 Corinthians 16:9. This is the reason prayer is needed, relying on God not man!
There’s another type of door the Lord Jesus taught on.
In the parable of the ten virgins – the five prudent ones “took oil in flasks along with their lamps” so they would have enough – whereas the five foolish ones didn’t bring a supply of oil and their lamps ran out, so were not ready when the bridegroom came – “ ‘and while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, “Lord, Lord, open up for us.” But He answered, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.” Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.’ “ – Matthew 25:10-13 Believers who fall away cannot enter through the door – they will not receive everlasting salvation. See article: Can you Fall Away OR is it Once Saved, Always Saved?
In another parable, Jesus said, “ ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from…I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…’ ” – Luke 13:24-28. In this parable, unbelievers are not recognized by the Lord and do not receive salvation either. Instead they all will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire, along with those who fell away.
The choice is ours. We must accept the Lord Christ Jesus into our hearts and lives, for He truly is our Creator, our Saviour, our coming King.
We must open the door to Him:
“ ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.’ ”
Another very popular Scripture verse, which stresses the same vital truth but in a slightly different way:
” ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’ “ – Matthew 7:13-14
God bless you!
Credit: ICR, Days of Praise: July 16, 2017
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