OPEN TO FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS
Jesus said: “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20; John 14:23). Like some of the early disciple, some people today have opened the door to fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Others may not have heard Jesus knocking or open their door for different reasons. The Bible sheds light on some who may not have open the door to Jesus and those who have opened the door of their heart to fellowship with him.
SOME MAY NOT HAVE HEARD THE OPEN-DOOR GOSPEL
The Bible ask: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14).”
SOME MAY HAVE HEARD A FALSE OR DISTORTED GOSPEL.
The biblical Word of God warns us: “beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:30).” And, “There will be false teachers among you…In their greed these teachers will exploit you” with lies (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Teachers of the following doctrines are seen as examples of those who are out of line with teachings of the Bible:
- NEW AGES/SPIRITUALITY. Contrary to the Bible, many New Age teachers teach that “God is in everyone.” But they do not teach that you must “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3).
Some of the members of my family are under the influence of the false New Age doctrine mentioned above. However, I pray for God to help them repent, believe and accept the truth of Jesus Christ as the only way to God (Luke 13.3; John 14:6; John 3:16-18).
- PROSPERITY GOSPEL. Some are led by “prosperity preachers” to focus mainly on temporal earthly achievements; rather than focus primarily on Jesus and eternal heavenly things as the Bible teaches (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2). The Bible asks: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36; 1 Timothy 6:10).
SOME MAY HAVE HARDENED THEIR EARS AND HEART TO JESUS.
In Speaking of some whose ears and hearts were harden, Jesus said: “this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them (Matthew 13:15).
HEARING THE GOSPEL-TRUTH CAN LEAD TO FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS.
Speaking to his followers whose hearts are soft and open and have fellowship with him, the Lord Jesus Christ said: “blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear (Matthew 13:16). Nevertheless, it is the Lords will that all “come unto the knowledge of the truth” and “repent” to have fellowship with him and his Spirit-filled people (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38). He command those who have fellowship with him: “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever [open their heart] believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” Mark16:15-16).
In reaching out to others for their salvation and spiritual fellowship, first the Lord “urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1). And with love and compassion, believers should endeavor to teach unbelievers the truth with gentleness; in the hope that God might grant them repentance, so that they may believe and accept the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-25). The Bible teaches the following as essential trues of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
- God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
- Jesus said, “I am the way, and truth and the life. No one come to the Father except by me” (John 14:6).
- All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
- The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23)
- God grows believers in Jesus Christ into the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29)
- Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
- Seek first the kingdom of God by believing in Jesus Christ, and being fill with the Holy Spirit; and God will add all other things that you need and desire in accordance with his will (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:4).
Jesus Christ wants all to know he loves us enough to have come and died to atone for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He comes in to have loving fellowship with whoever opens the door of their heart and invites him in. He will “never leave you nor forsake you” who invites him. He will “take care of all your need” on earth according to his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). And he will take all who invite him in, to live with him in heaven forever (John 14:2-3).
