"But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries." -1 Cor 16:8-9
When writing to the Corinthian's Paul let them know that he was going to tarry in coming to them because he had an open door in Ephesus. We know from the book of Acts that many came to faith through Paul in Ephesus, and that he established many churches there as well. But this opportunity to reach the lost did not come at no cost to him--No there was opposition from many "adversaries", whether they were pagan Diana worshippers or religious Jews instigating trouble there was always opposition to pass around. Sometimes we think that because we have an open door from the Lord that there will not be any opposition or obstacles in the way. But that couldn't be further from the truth, for an open door usually makes us an open target. Paul tarried there because he knew that to be "effective" in ministry meant to take the opportunity to share the gospel regardless of the obstacles. How many opportunities (open doors) do we waste because we are scared of the possible and even sometimes theoretical opposition? While it may not always be very convenient to share our faith, so long as Christ is still in heaven and we are still on earth.. the door is always open!
- LOOK FOR THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA IN REVELATIONS, WHY DID JESUS RECOGNIZE THEM?
- "walking through an open door could turn an enemy into a friend, a sinner into a saint, and a regret into a reward." -Albert Garcia