While a portion of the Lord ’ s leading is necessarily in response to our choices , I believe that He is much more active than merely watching what we are up to and responding from time to time . My thesis is that He is a constant active force in our lives , and could even be described as a gentle aggressor .
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see also Life 57 ; True Christian Religion 720 ; Apocalypse Explained 741:3 ; Apocalypse Revealed 217 ) So we might better understand this as the Lord rather loudly and insistently knocking – to get our attention and motivate us to open the door .
Upon reflection , we can all probably see the Lord ’ s hand , or knocking , in our lives . The issues that we really should be dealing with tend to come out . The Word , when read or heard , can frequently convict us of our evils , if we are willing to pay attention . Other people will point out our mistakes and flaws . In marriage there are few places to hide . And it is amazing to see and try to deal with one ’ s hereditary evils in one ’ s children ; they quickly learn how to push all our buttons !
These are just a few of the ways in which the Lord knocks to get our attention and encourages us to
While a portion of the Lord ’ s leading is necessarily in response to our choices , I believe that He is much more active than merely watching what we are up to and responding from time to time . My thesis is that He is a constant active force in our lives , and could even be described as a gentle aggressor .
turn to Him , His truth , and follow His ways . He thus confronts us with our shortcomings and almost impels us to address them .
The story of Jonah illustrates this . Jonah fled to avoid the Lord ’ s command to preach to the Ninevehites so they might be saved . Did the Lord just let him go ? No . He caused a great storm to threaten the boat he was in . And when he was thrown into the sea , the Lord caused a great fish to swallow him . It was only when Jonah accepted his responsibility that the Lord had him spat out onto dry land . In one sense the Lord took care of Jonah . But from Jonah ’ s perspective the journey and what the Lord did to encourage him was certainly not an easy or gentle process .
Scriptural stories frequently show the Lord being more confrontational , or at least less helpful , than people might want . Moses ’ excuse of not being able to speak well , to avoid leading the Israelites , was rejected by Jehovah . When Elijah was in despair , hiding in the mountains after overcoming the prophets of Baal , the Lord did not give him solace but told him to get back to his duties .
In the Sermon on the Mount , when the Lord identified an Old Testament law , such as not committing adultery , He made it harder on them by telling
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