An Open Door

by Micky Galloway

The Scriptures often speak of an open door. Paul mentioned his plans to “tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost; for a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (I Corinthians 16:8-9). Paul writes of another “door” that he was not fully able to take advantage of, “Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia” (II Corinthians 2:12-13). Paul called upon the Colossians to, “Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4). To the angel of the church in Philadelphia we read, “These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth: I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut)” (Revelation 3:7-8). The Lord opens doors for those who have prepared themselves.

Study. “Give diligence (study KJV) to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). To “study” or “give diligence” is defined from spoudázœ; “To make every effort to do one’s best, to be eager” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary). We must crave the Word of God “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (I Peter 2:2). As some passages are difficult to understand (cf. 2 Peter 3:16), a cursory reading of the text is not enough.

Pray. “Withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2-4). In the conversion of Cornelius, it was his prayers that prompted God to take notice (Acts 10:1-4), and it was a man given to prayer that the Lord chose to use in order to reach him (Acts 10:9). Perhaps it is through our diligent prayers that the providence of God will bring us into contact with someone seeking salvation.

Remove discouragements, distractions, and apathy. Discouragements are common. We hear the plaintive cry of Jeremiah, “Oh, that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them!” (Jeremiah 9:2). He desired to run away to a desolate place out in the wilderness. Elijah also was discouraged, “He himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Jehovah, take away my life …” (I Kings 19:4). Sometimes brethren are disappointing. How many have wondered about the value of trying at times when brethren are so indifferent and even hateful? Yet, we are to “preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season” (II Timothy 4:2); i.e. when it is convenient and when it is not! If we are waiting for everything to be perfect, we will never work. The wisdom writer said, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). Stop making excuses and get to work!

Cultivate zeal in teaching others. Paul taught that the Lord “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Paul considered it the highest honor to be permitted to tell the world that there were such riches in the Redeemer. “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:16). How could he do anything else?

Remember, the results are dependent upon the type of soil. In the Parable of The Sower, we see that the same seed, when sown, produced different results. One result was no reaction at all. Two others had only temporary success. Only one out of the four resulted in bearing fruit! Was that the fault of the seed, the sower? NO! The difference was the soil! The sower fulfills his responsibility by sowing the seed (cf. Ezekiel 3:17-19). If the soil rejects the seed, the soil is responsible; the sower should not be discouraged (cf. Matthew 10:14-15; Acts 13:44-46). If a person rejects it, we have not failed, they have! Keep on sowing the seed! As we increase the level of sowing, the level of reaping will rise proportionately. “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly” (Acts 6:7).

Perseverance. “Open doors” are for those who are prepared to be used by the Lord. Jesus taught the principle in the Parable of The Talents, “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away” (Matthew 25:29). Those who persist in sowing the seed eventually bear fruit.

Are you prepared for an “open door?”