Grand Openings

Colossians 4:3-5 Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

Imagine yourself standing in a long hallway with doors on either side. Some of the doors are closed and locked. Others are cracked. Others are wide open.

In a very real sense today you will walk down this hallway as you encounter people who need to know the mystery of Christ. For those of us who have received the message of the gospel the mystery of Christ is not mysterious. Colossians 1:26 tells us Jesus is “the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints.” As His saints it is our job to deliver the message of salvation by grace through faith to those who have yet to believe.

Some of our unbelieving friends are behind doors that are slammed shut and locked. Our job is not to kick down the doors with our persuasive arguments or winsome personality but to deliver the message to those who are open to hearing it. Only God can “open up to us a door for the word.” Our job is to pray that God would open the door by warming hearts, overcoming doubt, and creating a sense of need in our unbelieving friends.

But after we have prayed, “God, Open the doors!” God commands, “Open your mouth!” Our job is to make it clear to outsiders what God has done to purchase redemption and what he requires of those whom he will save. Some people are so concerned with getting the gospel out that they fail to get the gospel right. Others are so consumed with getting the gospel right that they fail to get the gospel out.

Ask God today to open a door for you to deliver the good news that salvation is available to all who will repent and believe. After you have prayed don’t be surprised to see a crack in a door that was previously shut. Don’t walk past it! Make the most of the opportunity that God has provided.

First get the gospel right. Then get the gospel out!