Revelation 3:8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name.

 

In His letter to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus commended them for their strength and determination. They were not many in number but those who were there were strong in their faith and remained steadfast. Unlike the other churches, they stood faithful to the Gospel of Christ and did not deny Jesus’ Name. Because of their faithfulness, Jesus opened a door for them that no man could shut. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name.

 

The church in Philadelphia is representative of the Missionary Church and the open door is the gateway to the entire world. It is the Will of God that everyone is saved. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

 

God does not open doors to those who are unfaithful to Him, however, faithfulness always results in open doors. The question is, open doors to what? Although God absolutely wants His children to prosper and be in good health, the open doors He places before us are not for our benefit but for the spreading of His Gospel and the building of His Kingdom.

 

The door Jesus opened for the few faithful members of the church in Philadelphia led to their ability to spread the Truth of the Gospel around the world. They were faithful with few in their midst so Jesus opened a door for them to reach the entire world! Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. (Matthew 25:23)

 

I hope you can see that Jesus spoke the same message to His followers in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) as He did in His letter to the church in Philadelphia. He is still speaking the same message today! Faithfulness and good stewardship results in open doors.

 

God ALWAYS looks at the condition of our hearts. Our motive for what we do is an indication of our faithfulness to Jesus. If He is truly our Lord and Savior, EVERYTHING we do will be done in faithfulness to Him and the motive will be to bring glory to Him and build His Kingdom. ALL other motivation is not the result of faithfulness and will not be rewarded.

 

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Again, this is the same message. If we want God to open doors for us, our motivation must be Righteous. God does not open doors so we can serve Satan, keep up with the Jones’ and renounce the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

The bottom line is that doors are only opened to those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ and prove to be good stewards of what He has given them. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My Name. (Revelation 3:8) This is the Message of the entire New Testament and this is the crux of the New Covenant we have with God due to the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

 

I pray you understand this because God is about to……….turn the tide

 

Faithfully His,          Doreen

 

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