1 Corinthians 16:9
“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
An open door usually means there is no obstacle. As I write this devotional, I’m sitting at the desk in my office with the door open. That door being open means that anyone can come through at their will. That door is open because I opened it and welcomed my family in.
The open doors in life are not always that open. We often think that an open door means that things will not be difficult, but that just isn’t the case. Paul said that he had a “great door” that was opened, but he also said, “there are many adversaries.” There are several things that an open door means.
First, an open door means there is an opportunity to do something for the LORD. This open door had nothing to do with Paul, but it had everything to do with getting the Gospel out. Having an open door means you have an opportunity to do something great for the LORD. You must be observant for when the door opens, you must be ready. If Paul had been wrapped up in himself and other activities, he would have never seen that door opened. Likewise, you must be yielded to the Holy Spirit and ready to seize the door when God opens it.
Second, an open door means there will be obstacles you must overcome. An open door doesn’t always mean that everything is going to be easy. We often equate open doors to ease, but when doors open you will find there will be people who will try to close them. Always remember that Satan is never thrilled when a door opens, so you will face adversaries if you step through that door. Paul could have avoided that open door and never faced the adversaries, but he understood that by stepping through that door he would have to fight adversaries. Any door that God opens means there will be battles you will have to fight. You must be ready to fight those battles when you step through the doors God opens.
Third, an open door means it will have a great impact. The word “effectual” means, powerful. When God opens doors, you will see a powerful effect. In other words, you will face adversaries, but you will find God’s power will have a great impact on what you are doing for Him. You won’t have to face the obstacles in vain, but working through those obstacles is worth it because of the impact this door will leave on what you are doing for Christ.
Fourth, an open door means it will take effort to go through it. Paul understood the effort level it would take to step through that door, but he was not afraid to put the effort into it. When you face an open door, you will have to put time, energy, hard work and pray for the open door to be “effectual.” The results of the open door will not happen unless you put in the effort.
Fifth, an open door doesn’t benefit everyone. Paul’s open door meant the church of Corinth would not see him, but it was worth it because Ephesus would be changed. Whenever a door opens in one area of life it might mean that a door will close in another. You will always have to make hard choices when you step through open doors.
Finally, an open door won’t stay open forever. If Paul had hesitated, he would not have influenced Ephesus. Likewise, when God opens a door, it opened it so you would step through it at that moment. Don’t hesitate and wait, for you may lose the great opportunity of your life.
Friend, don’t waste the opportunities of the open doors in your life. When God opens a door, step through it by faith and watch God work. Yes, you will face difficulties, but the result of stepping through the door is worth it in the end.