The Open Door By Major Frank Materu
Key Verse
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NKJV)
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Introduction
Life often presents us with choices, opportunities, and invitations that shape our journey. Among these, none is as significant as The Open Door that God places before us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This door is not just an opportunity—it is an invitation to eternal life, reconciliation with God, and a transformative relationship guided by the Holy Spirit. Yet, not everyone chooses to walk through this door, leading to consequences that resonate far beyond this life.
In this article, we will explore the importance of recognizing and responding to God's open door, the challenges people face in accepting it, and the rewards of walking through it. Let us reflect on this divine opportunity with open hearts and minds.
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The Open Door Defined
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NKJV)
God places The Open Door before us as an invitation to salvation and a closer relationship with Him through Jesus. This door is not always open indefinitely, nor is it always recognized by everyone. Some dismiss it out of fear, ignorance, or misplaced priorities. Others pursue the temptations of the world, walking through doors that lead to destruction rather than life.
Jesus Himself stands at the door, knocking, waiting for us to respond. As Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
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Obstacles to Entering The Open Door
1. Misplaced Priorities
Many people fail to walk through The Open Door because they prioritize worldly pursuits over spiritual ones. They imagine there will always be time to respond, or they choose to chase after temporary pleasures and distractions. As Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
2. Fear of Rejection
Fear of losing relationships, facing peer pressure, or enduring persecution often prevents individuals from accepting God's invitation. Yet Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:37-39 (NKJV): “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”
3. Deception by the Enemy
The enemy actively works to divert people from entering The Open Door. By enticing them with lies, temptations, and worldly pleasures, Satan keeps many trapped in spiritual darkness. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV) states: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
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The Blessings of Walking Through The Open Door
1. Reconciliation with God
Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God and welcomed into His Divine Love Family. Walking through The Open Door brings us into a relationship with Him that is both transformative and eternal. Romans 5:1 (NKJV) declares: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Abundant Spiritual Life
Those who enter The Open Door experience the richness of life in Christ. This includes guidance by the Holy Spirit, spiritual growth, and the fruitfulness of abiding in the Vine. John 15:5 (NKJV) reminds us: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
3. Eternal Rewards
Unlike the fleeting pleasures of this world, the benefits of walking through God’s open door extend into eternity. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) says: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
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Summary
God's open door through Jesus Christ is an invitation to salvation, transformation, and eternal life. It requires us to prioritize Him above all else, resist the lies of the enemy, and embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While challenges and obstacles may arise, the blessings of walking through this door far outweigh the sacrifices.
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Conclusion
The invitation to enter The Open Door is not one to take lightly. It is a divine opportunity that carries eternal significance. Let us respond with humility, gratitude, and obedience, knowing that through Jesus, we find salvation, purpose, and an unshakable hope.
As 2 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV) encourages us: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Today, the door is open—will you walk through it?
