“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.—Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Revelation 3:20 is a powerful scripture written by John to the lukewarm church of Laodicea. A few verses prior in 15 it says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
These words from Jesus given to John to the churches in the book of Revelation are just as relevant to us today. With all our electronic devices along with social media, we are probably the most distracted generation. Despite this, Jesus is still knocking. God is not giving up on us; the church.
In the middle of a secular society, we resist cultural norms. We don’t get complacent and sell out to worldviews. When new believers are exposed to false perceptions of what the Bible says that will lead them astray, we lovingly point out to them false ideologies. Any values that contradict God’s Kingdom values are not from the Bible.
When culture defies God’s principles, we don’t go along with it. We stand up to His truth. Getting comfortable with society and its ways is happening with many Christians. I know there have been times I haven’t been bold to point out inaccuracies. I listened to the lies that I am not knowledgeable enough to respond, so I stay silent
There is nothing wrong with me being honest by telling them; I am pretty sure that isn’t what the Bible says. I need to do some research about this and get back to you. And who knows? Maybe my comment would get them to investigate it more as well. I can’t beat myself up on what I didn’t say, but moving forward, I pray for more boldness.
The world tells us we can believe in whatever we want as long as we love others. Yes, we need to love and accept those whose beliefs and lifestyles we may not agree with ours, but we don’t have to celebrate choices that clearly don’t align with the Bible. We aren’t able to advance God’s kingdom agenda here on earth when we get comfortable with society’s ways. God isn’t going to equip those who are apathetic or lukewarm. With love and compassion, we stand up for what we know is true.
Revelation 3:20 doesn’t say Jesus is turning away in disgust to lukewarm Christians, but He is standing at their door knocking. He isn’t forcing His way into any of our hearts. He invites us to a deeper fellowship with Him. We do this by inviting Him to sit with us, which is a promise He gives us in this scripture; If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Father God,
Thank You for knocking on the door of my heart and not giving up on me. Open my eyes to any areas in my life where I am being complacent. I ask for You to reveal to lukewarm Christians where they are compromising Your Truths found in scripture. Forgive me when I let insecurities keep me from being bolder in my faith about this. Thank You for giving me Your Word to help me respond to false ideologies being spread about the Bible. Help me to share Your truth, grace, goodness and light to those You put in my pathway this week. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
August Verse
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”—Proverbs 3:3 (NASB)
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