HOW TO KNOCK By Charles H. Spurgeon
When our Lord said, “Knock and it shall be opened unto,” He teaches us that the way of winning admission to the blessing is simple, and suitable to common people. If I have to enter in by a door which is well secured. I shall need tools and science. I confess I do not understand the art: you must send for a gentleman who understands picklock, “jimmies”, and all sorts of burglarious instruments; but if I am only told to knock, fool as I am at opening doors, I know how to knock. Any uneducated man can knock, if that is all which is required of him.
The way to open Heaven’s gate is wonderfully simplified to those who are lowly enough to follow Holy Spirit’ guidance, and ask, seek and knock believingly. God has not provided a salvation which can only be understood by learned men; He has not prepared a Gospel which requires half- a-dozen folio volumes to describe it. It is intended for ignorant, the short-witted, and the dying, as well as for others, hence it must be plain as knocking at a door. This is it: Believe upon Jesus Christ and live. Seek unto God with all your strength, through Jesus Christ; and the door of His mercy will certainly open to you.
The Great Knocker is the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If a person were to call upon you in the name of some dearly beloved son who is far away, if he brought you due credentials, and a letter saying, “Father, treat the bearer well for my sake,” you would be sure to show him kindness. Now, when we go to God and plead the name of Christ, it means that we plead the authority of Christ, that we ask of God as though we were in Christ’s stead, and expect Him to give it to us as He were giving it to His Son Jesus. “But how am I to knock?” With the hand of faith. Believe that God will keep His promise; ask Him to do so knock in confidence that God will honor the name of His dear Son. “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
There is the knocker. Perhaps you have been living in the world forty years, and have never truly prayed at all; but the Lord out of His overflowing heart of generous love has made this promise to you: “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Wherefore do you doubt? Do you think He will not keep His word? A God who cannot lie, who was under no necessity to promise freely out of the greatness of His divine nature, which is love, says to a poor sinner, “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Oh, be sure of this, that He means it! And till Heaven and earth shall pass away His word shall stand, and neither you nor any other sinner that knocks at His door shall be refused admittance.