COME, FOR HE STANDS KNOCKING

 

AUGUST 13

 
COME, FOR JESUS STANDS KNOCKING.
 
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

  if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

 I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 

      and he with me.         Revelation 3:20
 
This is the Savior's own representation.    
 
Often has Jesus knocked at the door of your heart . . .
   by many a solemn sermon,
   by many a religious book,
   by many a startling dispensation of his providence,
and perhaps by sickness, and nearness to death.
 
Have you repulsed him hitherto?
 
Have you kept him outside?
 
Have you admitted others, but refused him?
 
Ah! have you?
   No doubt you have.
 
Yet there is no one you need like Jesus.
 
No one could do for you as Jesus can.
No one can be to you what Jesus would.
 
But he has not given you up yet.
   "He is slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy",
    or your repeated repulse would have driven him away long ago!
 
He is the God of patience, therefore he knocks still.
 
With this little book he gives another knock. 
 
As you read it, he says,
  "Open to me; I will come in, 

        and hold fellowship with you."
 
When Jesus comes, he never comes empty handed.
 
He brings a full, free, and an everlasting salvation with him.
He brings all that is "necessary for life and godliness."
 
Come then, open the door, and see Jesus.
 
 He says, "Look unto me, and be saved." 

      "Ask what I shall give you."
 
He is not willing that you should perish;
   he would rather you should "come to repentance."
 
"Therefore will the Lord wait,
  that he may show mercy unto you;
    therefore will he be exalted,
      that he may be gracious unto you."
He has waited long.
He is waiting still.
He may not wait much longer.
 
There will be a last knock, and
  who can tell but this little book may be
   the last means that Jesus will use.
 
It may be.
 Oh, if it should!
 
Come, O come to Jesus,
  before he finally withdraws from you.
 
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many,
   I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and
     shall not be able.       Luke 13:24, 25.
 
James Smith 1855