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Scripture: When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ Luke 13:25-27

Observation: Where you come from is meaningless.

In the parable of the narrow door, the Lord is saying that he does not know those who are outside - who did not enter his house when they had the opportunity. Their plea - their response to the fact that God does not know them - is that he MUST know them because he visited them. But he repeats that he doesn't know them; he doesn't know where they are from.

This is because this exchange is all about whom is making the effort in the relationship. God came to visit them, but they did not come to his house. Their knowledge of God is therefore that he made the effort to meet them, therefore he must accept them.

Where you are "coming from" means everything!

We enter heaven through the 'narrow door' when WE make the effort - when we go to see God. It isn't enough for us to acknowledge that God visited us, we must engage, make the effort to meet him, to enter his house. At the minimum, that effort requires active faith ... not just a "I believe God exists" faith, but a "I believe Jesus died for my sins and the Lord is sufficient to care for me and he loves me" faith. More appropriately, father involves responding to God's love through active engagement, worshipping him and trusting in him, praying to him and learning about him, and obeying his commands.

Application: I have never understood the narrow door ... I have sometimes feared that I'll "miss" the open door or that there is a timing issue and I might now be late. But now I understand ... the door doesn't close at a time in earthly history, it is open for every person because God has visited everyone and invited them, and they need to respond. I have responded to God - I have returned his love through my faith, love, trust, worship, and communication with him.

I am not perfect. If I am reclined at his table, my table manners need some serious work. But I have entered the house.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the invitation! Your love is so amazing, and the fact you came to visit me and invite me is still the greatest blessing of my life. May I always return your love to the best of my ability, which will never be good enough, but I hope will continue to improve to become the best I am capable of. Amen.