He Knocks!

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. Revelation 3:20 AMPC

Let's put today's extract in context. This was written to a church in Laodicea, where people were comfortable in the assumption that all was well. They saw themselves as wealthy, comfortable and in need of nothing. No matter who you are, what you have or become, you can never outgrow your need for God. No man gets anything outside of God, and whatever you amass outside of him will always mess you up at the end of the day.

God gave a verdict: the church was lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, and he was going to spew them out of his mouth. It doesn't matter what people say about you; it is what God says about you that counts. Men may applaud; is God also approving? Men may scorn and mock, but if God is backing me up, it does not really matter then what people say or think. His verdict is based on truth, not hypocrisy or flattery. He shows me my condition, and gives grace so that I can take the right decision.

And he knocks. It does not matter how long I have been in or around church; what really matters is who is occupying the seat of your heart. Remember, this wasn't written to outsiders but to people who claimed to know the truth. Before it is too late, I must check my priorities and pursuits, and ask God for grace to open up my heart to him. He has promised to come in and make a 'feast' out of my life. He wants to be involved in the tiniest detail of my life. He invites me to join him at the table, where he is present and ever ready to give grace in abundance. What more could I want? What else can any man give me?

Can I take a honest assessment of myself today? Can I ask myself honest questions in the light of God's standards and can I accept the verdict? Do I see myself as God sees me, or do I have a false image of myself? One day soon, I will stand before the One who judges truly; then people's opinions about me will not matter. His time of favour is here.