AS HE IS LET IN

“Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me” (Revelation of Jesus Christ 3:20)

Isaac Penington (1616-1679) early Quaker writer and teacher wrote: “Christ saves not as he stands without at the door knocking, but as he is let in.” He also said,
“Keep out the light of his spirit, keep out Christ: let in the light of his spirit, let in Christ.”

Like so many teachings of Jesus, this one is a contrasted choice: if we hear his knocking, if we hear his voice and if we open the door… he will come in and dine with us and us with him. “If you did not let in the light, Penington warned, “Christ can never come to be formed in you … And then you may talk of Christ, and practice duties (pray, read, and meditate much), and gather comforts from promises, and run into ordinances, and be exceeding zealous and affectionate in all these, and yet perish in the end.”

As he is let in… the union begins. As the host, we receive the guest.

“This is what the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David, says. When he opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it. I know what you do. I have put an open door before you, which no one can close. I know you have little strength, but you have obeyed my teaching and were not afraid to speak my name.” Jesus