Romans 5:1, 2 
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (NIV)

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. (MSG)

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I have looked far and prayed for a lot of open doors. 

Sometimes we make open doors harder than they have to be. In the first Lord of the Rings movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, the Fellowship arrives at the halls of Moria. A secret door is closed to all who would enter there unless they know the password. The problem is, Gandalf did not remember the password. For a long time, he tried every possible phrase he could remember. None of them worked. 

Frodo read the words and noticed something everyone else had missed. He read aloud, “Speak, ‘Friend,’ and enter.” He then asked Gandalf what the elvish word for friend is. When Gandalf said that word, the door opened. 

Opening that door was harder than it had to be. 

Grace is often like that, isn’t it? It’s completely free. We can’t earn it, work for it, or deserve it. We can only receive it. 

When we recognize what dirty, rotten sinners we are, and when we recognize what a gracious, merciful, and kind Savior we have, we can experience that grace that God offers free of charge. The door of grace always stands open. If there is a door between God and us that is closed and locked, it’s our door, not his. 

Jesus did everything needed for you and me to enter God’s presence and call him Our Father in Heaven. Everything. All we get to add to the equation is a simple Yes to receive God’s offer of grace and a Thank You for the salvation it provides.

God’s door is open. Have you entered in? Please, step right in.  

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I will invite everyone to enter through God’s open door. 

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Our Father, thank you for doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. You have thrown open your door of grace and welcome all who come to you in simple faith. Thank you for being God of the open door. Amen.