I know, the first thing that came to my mind was, who’s there? I shared many a knock knock joke in my youth, but the subject behind this article has nothing to do with any jokes. As a congregation, we understand that our door is always open to those seeking God and the truth. Even though our door may be open, that’s not to say we aren’t continually vigilant in protecting each other from physical, emotional, or spiritual harm. As we are commanded to love each other, I believe our love for each other covers all three of these perspectives.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
So based on this scripture, I am to pursue what is good for myself while I pursue what is good for others. That seems to mean that I sometimes need to lock my door so that nothing unrighteous enters in, while I keep my door unlocked and open to those seeking God and the truth. I guess that doing so fits right in with the definition of the word vigilant. Meaning that we need to stay watchful so that we can detect trouble or danger. One other thought is to not fall asleep and neglect our duties, but rather stay awake and alert. In other words, protecting each other from physical, emotional, or spiritual harm.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I suspect there will be those times when pursuing good for all might seem a bit difficult, but thankfully we have prayer, and we know that God is always there to hear our prayers.
1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Luke 11:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Knock, knock. Who’s there? GOD
Revelation 3:20-21 (NKJV)
20 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. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.