John Stott, commenting on Revelation 3:18 – 20:
But it is not merely for supper that Christ enters the human soul. It is also to exercise sovereignty. If he comes in to bestow his salvation, he comes in also to receive our submission. His entry is an occupation. He comes in to take control. No room may be locked against him. He has conquered us. He is the master of the house. His flag flies from our roof. This is what it means to be committed to Christ, and to be wholehearted in our allegiance to him. It is to surrender without conditions to his lordship. It is to seek his will in his word and promptly to obey it. It is not just attending religious services twice a Sunday or even every day, let alone on the major festivals. It is not just leading a decent life or believing certain articles of the creed. No, it is first to repent, turning decisively from everything we know to be wrong, and then to open the door to Jesus Christ, asking him to come in. It is getting our gold, our clothes, and our eye salve from him. It is being personally and unconditionally committed to him. It is putting him first and seeking his pleasure in every department of life, public and private. Nothing less will do.
What Christ Thinks Of The Church, pp. 121 & 122
3:20 -thats the verse that got Sadie. Behold I stand at the door and knock. “I guess I ought to let Him in then” I like the idea of Him being someone who is taking seige of the house. All this talk about God’s sovrigenty vs man’s responsability, sometimes I wish He had more control over my life then I am willing to give Him, that would make things easier for me. Of couse its a matter of beating down the flesh.
Then having a personal relationship with our Savior.
Thanks for sharing this and glad to see you posting. (smiling)
Go John…..
Wow! And most people think Revelation is mostly about the future. How much more practical and “every day” can you get than this.
Thank you Jesus for loving us so much that you wrote this thousands of years ago so that you could encourage us today.
I hope this will encourage us to live uncompromised lives and to encourage one another to live holy lives.
It is getting our gold, our clothes, and our eye salve from him.
Believe it or not, one of the most memorable moments for me over the past few months (!) we have been going through Revelation was coming to 3:17 & 18 and seeing Jesus represent himself as a merchant! What a wonderful way of communicating truth to a materialistic, commerce-driven city like Laodicea… or modern western Christians!
He’s telling us not to go to “that other supplier” for what we want and need, but to come to Him! Only Jesus can supply us with quality goods, at the right price!
Of course, we can’t buy those things from Jesus… there’s no price we can pay, but that’s the language of Revelation — the point is not buying the stuff, but the One Who can supply it… there’s only one who’s got the goods, so to speak.
At this time of year, when we are giving and getting lots of stuff, this is good to remember… the gifts we give are tokens of our love for one another, they have meaning and they are blessings, “sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.” But, they are in fact temporary and no substitute for the neccessities, the medicine and the riches Jesus has given us.
I see my hubby has been here. Hi Hubby!
While I am not a part of your discussion group on Tues. nights (busy helping with youth group) I am enjoying reading these posts and just thought I’d say hello and let you know I’m out here.
Also, I gave a shout out on my blog about your TV appearence, hope you don’t mind.