John states it well in the Bible, "We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment." (1John 4:16,17)

Jesus' prayer right before his death: "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they [Jesus' followers] know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:25,26)

But, This Is Not The Worse Of It!

Jesus is standing at a door and knocking. But the illustration of Jesus' offering salvation to individuals is not what is going on here. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus is not pleading with an individual to be saved; He's seeking admittance to a church! It's alarming to think of Jesus standing outside of a church and knocking, but that is what John is writing here. The Laodicean church had shut the door on the Head of the church; they were smug in their prosperity, but Jesus was left standing in the cold. He was an outsider to the hearts of the entire congregation.

To the congregation at Laodicea, Jesus issued this scathing criticism: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked'" (Revelation 3:15–17).

In their proud, self-satisfied, and spiritually blind state, the church of Laodicea was useless in God's kingdom. Using figurative language, Jesus issued His command, beckoning the members of the church to exchange their counterfeit righteousness for genuine righteousness (Revelation 3:18). He called the church to be zealous and repent (verse 19).

When Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock," He was inviting the members of the Laodicean church to recognize their miserable spiritual condition and receive His authentic gift of salvation. Like the apostle Paul, the Laodiceans needed to realize their absolute dependence on Christ: "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith" (Philippians 3:8–9).

The Lord's plea is personal. He does speak to individuals using singular words like anyone, his, him, and he. He is inviting everyone in the church to experience intimate fellowship with Him. And even though His desire was for the whole church to respond and open the door to Him, ultimately it was up to the individual to decide.

Jesus knows that not everyone will answer His invitation and open the door to a relationship with Him. Many, like those living in Laodicea, will choose to reject His call. Lukewarm, and with hardened hearts, they will remain blind to the fact that they have accepted a false righteousness (Hebrews 3:7–8). To these Jesus will say, "I never knew you, depart from me" (Matthew 7:21–23). Sadly, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

In Conclusion....

When you see this illustration of Jesus knocking at the door or sitting on the throne remember, it is not just a personal invitation. It is a collective invitation. Are you involved in a church, a group, or some sort of cause? Are they putting Christ on the throne. Are they worshiping the one true God in love and peace. If not, then you need to find the strength in your soul to open the door of your heart and let him in personally. Then to somehow bring others to do the same. If you cannot, allow yourself the privilege to seek another church, group, or start your own by putting God first. JESUS wants to come in. Jesus longs for you to let him in and be the center of your life, your universe, the reason that you take your next breath. Relax, just breath.

For info on having a relationship with God, see Knowing God Personally.