The Other Side of the Door

"Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn't want to lose even one of these simple believers.
"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him--work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. (Matthew 18)

If we can bring back someone who is wandering away from Christ, not only is that one restored but others who are influenced by him are also drawn back toward the truth. When, in our spirit, we close the door of relationship to someone, we are in some degree also writing off those who are in relationship to that person. The door of relationship is closed when we explicitly refuse to communicate with, think about or feel compassion for some neighbor. The first step in opening that door is to begin to pray for that person. We will be surprised at how many souls are actually on the other side of the door.

Project:
Let’s ask God to reveal any closed door in our relationships.
Let’s ask God for grace to open that door.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15)