I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
The LORD … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
John 10:9; 2 Peter 3:9.
A five-year-old girl was going to bed. Beforehand she said a prayer, remembering to include her grandfather, who did not believe in Christ: “Lord Jesus, please don’t shut the door of your palace too soon, so that my grandad can still go in.” Her prayer reminds us of an important fact: the door to heaven is still open today. But it won’t be so for ever. The door is open because Jesus Christ died for sinners. And as a result of God’s patience it has remained open until now. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
The young girl understood that and was worried about her grandfather. Maybe he did not realize that he was lost on account of his sins and needed to be saved. Perhaps he was an honourable man who enjoyed much respect in his district. To have to humble oneself before God and admit one’s own unworthiness before Him is a difficult step for us proud people. Many take offence that they cannot contribute anything towards their eternal salvation.
It is possible that you are the subject of the prayers of your relatives, of a colleague at work, or of your neighbours. One things is certain, at any rate, Jesus Christ died for you! He is waiting for you to respond!
Image: By Duccio di Buoninsegna – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7922656