To love our enemies is not natural; it is supernatural. It is only possible once we have truly grasped the depth of God's own love for us. God's love is agape love, undeserved and freely given, most fully displayed at Calvary where Christ blessed those who cursed Him, prayed for those who killed Him, and did good to those who hated Him and died for our sins. When our hearts are thawed by this love, as happened to the evangelist D.L. Moody through the preaching of Henry Morehouse, we are set free to bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us, and give without expecting anything in return, becoming, in this, true sons of the Most High.
Faith can falter without finally failing, because Christ intercedes for His own to hold them firm. As Christians we can be so glad that it is an issue of how His hold on us is what counts and not that our strength is our only hope to survive in Him. Despite Peter's denial of knowing Christ, the Lord has confidence in His prayers for him and later restoration. Nonetheless the need for true turning (conversion) is also very apparent in the story line. The interesting accompanying mention is that the Lord's call was not only for Peter to be converted, but also to then strengthen those led away with them. Jesus had prayed that Peter's faith would not fail, and He still prays for His people today to be strengthened. When we return to Him in repentance, He restores us to service and calls us to join Him in bringing back others.
Becoming a true Christian is more than giving a public response such as raising a hand or going down the front of the meeting; it is a spiritual happening, a new birth that produces hunger for the Word, a turning of the heart toward God. A fruit is a love for truth, and perseverance even when faith brings hardship. The evidence of real conversion is not only the initial belief but also the following growth, love for Jesus, and willingness to suffer for His Name. To know that one has been born again is to find a new appetite for spiritual life and a settled certainty that God's hand has begun a lasting work within.
The path to genuine Christianity is through a narrow gate that few find, not because it is physically restrictive, but because it demands costly commitment. Many religious activities and outward displays of faith—even miraculous gifts and prophecies—cannot substitute for true knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit's work of conviction and call for genuine repentance marks the difference between authentic faith and mere religious observance. Without this deeper work, one's spiritual house, though impressive on the surface, may collapse when tested by life's storms or the final judgment.
Christian conversion is more than a change of religion or joining a church; it is a spiritual awakening brought about by the Holy Spirit. This awakening involves a conviction of sin, a turning to Christ as Saviour, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. The process of conversion is often contested by Satan, but Christ intercedes on our behalf. True conversion results in a transformed life, described in Scripture as being 'snatched from the burning'. The need for genuine conversion applies not only to individuals but also to entire communities and nations.
This sermon explores the profound meaning of Revelation 3:20, addressing a debate on its interpretation and extending its application beyond conversion to the fervent love and fellowship Jesus desires with each believer. It challenges the notion that Christ's knocking at the door is solely an invitation to non-believers, emphasising also His call to believers to rekindle their first love and commit to a deeper relationship with Him. By juxtaposing this with references to the Song of Solomon, the preacher illuminates the mutual love between Christ and the believer, advocating for a personal response to Jesus' gentle but persistent invitation. This call to both conversion for non-believers and renewal for the lukewarm believer underscores the sermon's core message: Jesus seeks a passionate, loving relationship with each of us, inviting us personally to open the door to a more profound fellowship with Him.