Luke 9:1-5 KJV
(1) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
(2) And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
(3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
(4) And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
(5) And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Where are you welcomed and who is welcome in your home? I often wonder if we live in times where it is more common place to slam the door then to open it for a stranger. I be honest, everyone that comes to my door is not always welcomed in. Yet those that are hopefully fine me hospitable. Is the purpose that a person visit is to only to destroy someone they ought to just stay away and if it is to bring friendship they should be welcomed. King David found himself at odds with a foreign king’s son, who lost his father the deceased king, who found his men unwelcome when he sent them to console the son. David had known the foreign deceased king and had been friends with him. The son of the deceased king thought David’s men came to spy and so he did some horrible acts to the men and returned them to Israel. The men were ashamed and David told them to stay in a particular city till their beards grew back that had been shaven by king’s son of another land. David’s men had not been welcome. They had entered in only to be made a fool of. People are not always kind to people they even know, yet David men’s destruction was for a power play by the foreign king’s son. This would cause revenge and war that would destroy the foreign king’s son.

You do not want everyone to enter your home especially uninvited. Yet the reality is many people will knock on your door over the years for you to allow them in or just talk to them at the door or never to answer. There is a reason not to let everyone in your door that carries even a Bible, but some might say that open door to witness. That is so. Yet many devils do carry Bibles. There was standard in Jesus day of going to the door and knocking and if they allowed you to enter go in and if they would not allow you to enter shake the dust off your feet.

David was a man of peace and desired peace with his neighbor though he be a warrior king. He rather peace then war. Yet David there was more war then peace. Yet their were places that welcomed David into their village and even joined him in his military journey. God desires peace to come to all people. The good news of Jesus is the Gospel of Peace. Some will join the battle call to the Gospel of peace and some will cast you out and even kill you because of the Gospel message.

As children of God we are called to be separate and yet to go forth with the Gospel of Peace. To be separate from the world how we live our life in honor and glory to God and how we live separate from things God consider sinful. To go forth with the Gospel is to preach the kingdom of heaven is at hand or is coming. Yet the message of the kingdom coming sounds like a battle cry against one’s own government. Yet it is not, for when Christ return it is a climatic event, not one seen by earthly leaders but from the Lord of Lords from above. It is a spiritual cry to serve a peaceful king or surrender to the Warrior King of the whole earth who will destroy the people who heart is not right with Him. Christ will weigh the heart of man. He see if you surrender only in fear and to save one’s own life or you desire peace with God.

When we confess Jesus is Lord do we do it with a repented heart? When we share the gospel do we do it to bring peace or war. Maybe a little of both at times, because of our human failings. If you knew your enemy repented would it be good enough for you? If you knew your enemy was healed because of the Gospel message would it be enough for you to forgive him or her? Would you welcome them at your door, would you welcome them in your house. Or would you use a little wisdom based on circumstances. I once gave a person a chance, but looking back I realized it was an opportunity for the Gospel to be shared, before destruction came this person’s way. Looking back my only regret was my own human failings to be the best servant of God I could be. Every open door is a door to be the best witness you can be. Every door is an opportunity to share the Gospel of Peace. Yet there are people that will use you and crush you. Yet God’s word never fails. There is a purpose for each situation. You do not know how many of God’s people have to be crushed before the Gospel of peace reaches their heart or God destroys them. Are you willing to have doors slammed in your faith and opportunities be opened and then later slammed. Then joined God’s army force of peace. Christ’s message is about love and compassion for all people, no matter who they are.

Dear Heavenly Father give your people the grace need to carry the message of peace to all people everywhere. Thank you for going before us by your Spirit to open the doors that might have been shut before and open now to the Gospel of Peace. Help us to love and show compassion to all people teaching of forgiveness of Christ. In Jesus precious name, Amen.