Vol. 9  No. 10- June 2012

Is There a “Stranger at Your Door?”

Charles G. Maples, Sr.

There’s an old Hymn entitled, “THERE’S A STRANGER AT YOUR DOOR,” based, as I recall, on Revelation 3:20, which reads, “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone will hear My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and him with Me.”

This is, indeed, a sad scene! In that text Jesus is “outside the door” of His church in Laodicea, pleading for someone to OPEN THE DOOR AND LET HIM IN! Can you imagine that? – Jesus, the Son of God, Who had died for their sins; had given them the gospel; to which they had given heed; becoming His disciples; and now they have “shut Him outside!”  But wait, could this be YOUR door?  – the door of YOUR HEART!?  You will note that He says, “If ANYONE hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and DINE WITH HIM, and HIM WITH ME!”  Can you think of such an opportunity being offered to you?  But it is, if Jesus is not already dwelling in you, and you in Him.  (consider Galatians 2:20)

Jesus died for YOUR sins!  John wrote of “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” (Revelation 1:5)  The writer of Hebrews says, “But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, FOR THE SUFFERING OF DEATH, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God, might taste death for EVERYONE.”(Hebrews 2:9)  That includes YOU!  SURLY, SUCH A ONE SHOULD NOT BE A “STRANGER” to you!  And surly He should not be closed outside your “door”(Heart & Life)!    Jesus says, “If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.”(JOHN 14:15)  You will note that hearing His “knocking” is HEARING HIS VOICE!  Then Opening Your door would be GIVING HEED TO HIS VOICE (WORD)!  The Hebrew writer tells us that, in His suffering, He “Became the Author of eternal salvation TO ALL THOSE WHO OBEY HIM.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Someone might be a “Stranger” to us because we have never “become acquainted” with them.  Or, having become acquainted; even “friends;” we might, for some reason become so “estranged” from them that we no longer recognize them when we see them, but we “recognize that voice!”  Hearing the Savior’s Voice: “”Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, for the remission of sins…”(Acts 2:38), or “Repent of this thy wickedness, and pray to God … that the thought of thy heart might be forgiven you.” (Acts 8:22); HEARING HIS VOICE, will you “Open the door” of your heart; enjoy the wonderful joy of having Him “dine with you;” share your life with you!”  Consider also His offer, as seen in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him!” … NO LONGER A “STRANGER,” but “close friends!” with both the Father and the Son!

Is Jesus shut outside of  YOUR heart and life?  Please; “We pray you in Christ’s stead; be RECONCILED to God (and his Son – cm).” (2 Corinthians 5:20)  As another line of that old familiar song pleads, “Open now to Him your heart. Let the Savior in!”