Knock

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Matthew 7:7

In pursuit of peace with God, Jesus’ command to knock is the action that results from asking and seeking. All three may seem to happen at once, and in a way they almost do. Though you may ask God to reveal Himself and seek after God, entry into the kingdom comes when you knock.

Knocking is a sign of surrender. You cannot storm the gates of heaven and barge into the kingdom of God on your own terms. God neither recognizes nor honors “Your truth”. He is The Truth and will have no other before Him. If someone wishes to enter heaven, they must humbly knock, as a lost soul seeking permission to enter into a place, they are not worthy to enter.

We are all familiar with accepting the terms and conditions upon entering a website. The same is true, though in a more real fashion, of the kingdom of God. You may not enter into the kingdom of God without first agreeing to His terms and accepting His conditions. The act of knocking signifies a willingness to abide that arrangement in which God is Lord and Master and we are mere children.

Knocking is also a symbol of belief. Abraham believed God and then, by grace, God counted it to him for righteousness. Knocking on heaven’s door is a step of faith born of belief; “…for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If you ask, seek, and knock you will not go away empty handed. God will respond. He will give more than you expect.

C.S. Lewis once said he believed that great saints and great sinners were made of the same stuff. That “stuff” is a willingness to throw themselves completely into whatsoever they love. All you love, all you ask for, all you seek, and all you knock to acquire is meant to be given away. Do that, and God will give you the desires of your heart.

Maranatha