Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – (Revelation 3:20)

The context of Revelation 3:20 is regarding the Church of the Laodiceans, which was a literal, local church that existed in Asia Minor at the end of the first century when God gave His Revelation to John on the Isle of Patmos. Jesus did not have any positive things to say about this church. The name “Laodicea” means “the peoples rights”. This was a church that belonged to the people, not the Lord, which is perhaps why Jesus was positioned outside the door of the church. This church was an historical church, but it seems to also picture the condition of so many of the Christian churches of our day. Many churches today are no longer concerned whether or not the Lord is pleased with them, as they have directed their attention on pleasing the people. Modern churches are predominantly “seeker sensitive” rather than “Saviour sensitive”. We are certainly living in that “perilous” time that Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Nevertheless, even though the churches by and large have turned their back on the Lord, He is still inviting the individuals in those churches to repent and turn to Him. Revelation 3:20 may have been written to a church, but the invitation to “open the door” is written to the individual – “if any man”. I thank the Lord that He invited me to receive His free gift of salvation. If you haven’t yet trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, please turn to Him today. Click here for more information from the Bible regarding salvation.

PS – I do not think that all churches today are “Laodicean churches”. We work hard at Jersey Shore Baptist Church to please the Lord, and though we love people, and desire to see them saved, we will not compromise Truth in order to reach people. We are not a perfect church, and I would be less than honest if I said that this carnal world had no affect on us, but we are trying to hold the line. I believe that a church can stand firmly today on biblical principle, and still reach people. I believe that we can still be a separated (not isolated), and holy people while still making an impact on the world around us.