Revelation 3:20 AMP “Behold, I stand at the door [of the church]and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.”
We need to dine and fellowship with God to be restored. At its core, eating is learning the Word and applying (digesting) it into our daily lives. Many Christians assume they have asked and received Jesus into their hearts. However, they often hold a Western definition of receiving Christ rather than a biblical one. If this were not the case, the promise of restoration would be more evident among God’s people. Yet, many remain in disarray, still waiting for answers, not realizing the problem lies within themselves.
Scripture in Matthew chapter 7 instructs us to knock, seek, and ask, but many assume this refers to seeking physical blessings, including healing and restoration. However, true, enduring restoration and blessings are granted through a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the knocking, seeking, and asking are primarily for the promised Holy Spirit.
In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus is described as continually knocking on the door (heart) of His people. Throughout the Bible, the hearts of God’s people remain unopened, and now He is the one knocking to gain our attention. Jesus does not force Himself upon His people; we are given the choice to open our hearts to Him or not. Yet, even when we do open the door, is it fully open, or do we only crack it open, setting our own terms?
Returning to Matthew 13, we are reminded of the importance of honoring the servant Jesus has sent for you. Are you able to “receive and welcome” the one whom Jesus sent? Will you fully receive and welcome them to also receive their reward? Jesus is knocking on your heart. Or will you only receive up to the point of offense, jealousy, envy, self-ambition, or disdain, rejecting them by not fully accepting or honoring the one He sent? In doing so, are we devaluing the Word of God, whether spoken in Rhema or Logos form?
Matthew 13:12-13 (AMP) “For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him. This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things].”
This is why people may become frustrated as what was given is taken away, leaving them spiritually blind and deaf in wisdom, knowledge, possessions, authority, and anointing. If we are decreasing, it is due to devaluing the Word. It stems from disrespecting God through His servants and His works in us. It may involve despising His calling in us or showing a lack of faith, or no faith at all.
We must arise and no longer act as our ancestors did. Instead, we must rise to the occasion of this new day as a new people who do new things. The former things have passed, and the former person within us has also passed. We must look forward, adhering to the new spiritual economy to fully receive the inheritance set before us, so we may come to Him in all His glory.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim