Every commander in the U.S. Army is required to adhere to The Army’s Open-Door Policy, as per Army Regulation 600-20.
God, the Creator and Commander of all things, also has an open-door policy that he invites us to use daily.
The author of the Book of Hebrews invites us to join him in coming “boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Heb. 4:16, NLT).” Our confidence to enter Father God’s presence is because Jesus, the Great High Priest, led the way as our point man. Jesus’ assigned mission from his, and our Father, was to restore the broken relationship between mankind and Father God. Jesus busted through the brambles and vines of our sin and shame, cutting a narrow path back to our Father. Do you know why? Because God loves you! He wants you to know him, and Jesus personally (Jn. 3:16 & 17:3).
I love the picture of President Kennedy and his son. John John could play at his father’s feet because of their father son relationship. Father God invites us to play at his feet also. Actually, he gets on the floor and plays with us and meets with us where we are because he, through Jesus, “understands our weaknesses (Heb. 4:15).”
At the moment Jesus died on the cross, as a substantial sacrifice, for our sins, the thick veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place, in Herod’s Temple, was cut in two from top to bottom (Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk 23:45). The barrier that physically separated any of us from coming into God’s presence was removed, the way was now open. But more importantly, as point man, Jesus entered into Father’s presence in the heavenly temple, so we could follow him (Heb. 9:11, 12).
God cut the veil in Herod’s Temple to help us see two things; 1. We have open access to him and 2. He is coming out to be with us.
Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit love you so much. The Good News (Gospel) is more about how good God is and less about how bad we are. Jesus paid the price for our badness so we could enjoy God’s goodness!
What’s your Open-Door Policy?
Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart because God the Holy Spirit wants to live and have a relationship with you from the inside out. He wants to help you know how good God is so you will have the confidence to enter boldly into your Father God’s presence. It breaks Father’s heart when we hide from him like Adam and Eve did. Don’t hide from God but run to him when you hear him walking in the cool of the day to be with you (Gen. 3:8).
Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Rev. 3:30, NLT).”
Jesus is inviting each of us, no matter what we have done or are doing, to open the door of our heart and ask him, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the First Born of All Creation and Love himself, into our lives.
Please open the door.