The broader spectrum of what is called
Christianity, teaches that adversity is a bad thing, but nowhere
is that upheld in Scripture. The metal of the greatest
saints has always been proven, without fail, in the crucible of
opposition. Imprisoned by Rome for preaching, Paul
requested prayer from those in Colosse:
"... that GOD would open
... a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of CHRIST, for
which I am also in bonds:"
The truest advance for the cause of CHRIST, must by design, be met by the
very
headwinds of Hell! That is precisely why, when it
comes to doors, JESUS claims that HE alone:
"... openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man
openeth;" HE is not just
the DOOR (cf. John 10:7), but the
DOORMAN as well, to all who accompany HIM:
"... I came to Troas to preach CHRIST'S gospel, and a door was
opened unto me of the LORD,"
To find a hot doorknob in evangelism
simply indicates you've found the flames of Hell you're looking
for. This should be perceived as a good thing to the servant
of GOD who possesses the rivers of living water needful to
charge in and see sinners rescued from the fire.
"In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if GOD peradventure
will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"
It is not an overstatement to
suggest that we are our own worst enemies. Much of the oft
touted martyrdom for the faith, being spread about today, can be
written off as self-inflicted stupidity. Those who insist
upon shut doors, seek doors of proposition, not opposition.
They may force them open; but doors of ease inevitably open up to
the Prodigal's pen. There, your adversary is the
chastening hand of the LORD; and in that, of course, there is nothing to glory of!
"But if thou
shalt indeed obey HIS voice, and do all that I speak; then I
will be ... an adversary unto thine adversaries."
The wise Prodigal repents,
returning to the door of ill decision; thus aiming the cannon of
HIS wrath back down range in the right direction. Beware in your Christian life
of those demonic door to door salesman in slick looking suits.
Their 'mane' points give them away, if you will but exercise
some sobriety.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"