An invitation
What an invitation to an intimate relationship. Here, Jesus is speaking to the churches. In my early thirties I was a religious Christian. I seemed to work very hard at keeping the scales balanced with my good deeds to outweigh my bad deeds. Not a very joyous lifestyle. Through the working of the Spirit and a sermon, “Sin: what’s standing between you and God?”, I was led to repent and wonderful things immediately started happening in my life through the word.
A few months later I was asked to be a coordinator at a Billy Graham Crusade. We went through the training in the gospel the week before. For the first time I began to understand what had happened in my life. But on the last night, they taught this verse. It was instant awareness that I could have a personal, intimate relationship with the God of the universe through his son Jesus Christ. My faith came alive that day.
From religion to relationship
It is the linchpin for anyone to go from religion to relationship. Jesus is knocking on the door of our heart and mind, but the door can only be opened from the inside. That night, by the leading of the Spirit, I was empowered to open the door to my heart and mind. What happened next is well described in this verse. Jesus came in to dine with me for eternity, beginning the moment I received him. To take up residency in my heart, mind and soul. Have you welcomed him into your life? Do you hear him knocking?
