Holding the Door Open

In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes to encourage his friends…

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Peter is reminding them that the world in its present state won’t last forever. We look forward to the day when the new heavens and new earth will arrive and all evil, suffering, and death will pass away.

But our time holds a special characteristic: it’s a chance for people to repent and find salvation.

Jesus, in His kindness, is holding the door open—giving time for more people to turn away from destructive living and come to Him.

This is our golden opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Through His followers, He is actively extending His offer of new, eternal life to the world.

And those who respond to that invitation will find the peace of God’s presence. They’ll have access to joy that can’t be taken away by circumstances. They can develop a relationship with the living God, who loves them without reservation.

He wants EVERYONE—all of humanity—invited to the party. Invited to turn away from their old life of destruction. To come to Him and know Him, experiencing His life-changing love. To be with Him, and follow Him today and into eternal life.

What an amazing chance we have been given! And you get to participate! You can help spread the word, making God’s offer of life known:

Jesus came to offer redemption to all who would come. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News for ALL PEOPLE, and the time to share it is now. Will you do it?

My Thoughts

Since I am elderly, I cannot do a lot for other people when I am out and about. They may start walking behind me towards the store, but most people get there before I do. And holding the door takes no effort at all since most doors are electronic. But think about the imagery of going ahead of someone and then going into a regular door and just shutting it once you are inside. That’s what a lot of Christians are doing to non-Christians. We don’t give them a chance to come into the kingdom because we just shut the door. I think sometimes my opinion about their lifestyle weighs too heavily, so I just assume that they don’t want to listen before I have even tried to share. Seriously, is there anyone to whom Jesus did not even offer a chance for eternal life? He gave everyone the opportunity to listen and believe, even though He knew the Pharisees and Sadducees probably wouldn’t hear the truth, He still presented it to them.

It is not up to us to decide who gets to hear. We should be telling everyone. Jesus’s gift of eternal life isn’t a secret that we hold close behind closed doors. The door is open to all who want to listen and come in. I want to be a door holder, not a door closer.