A Christian’s Responsibility
By Clarence Santee
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom.” Matt. 16:19. THE person to whom are committed the keys, is responsible for the opening of the door to every person who has business within. The faithful doorkeeper has an important position in the “house of God.” If he becomes indifferent or careless, some person may knock and not be heard. The knock may be faint, it may be with the last ebbing strength of the seeker for admittance. A failure to open at that time may turn a soul away forever. The Saviour has said, “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matt. 7:7. But He invites the one to whom He has committed the keys, to assist in making His promise availing. When a Saul of Tarsus, or a Cornelius of Cæsarea, under conviction, said, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6; 10:3-6) the Lord sent them to members of His church for the answer. He has committed the opening of the door to His followers here. The Saviour said, “Ye are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:14. He turns the soul lost in darkness, to His church for the light of life. Christ calls the Christian His “porter.” He gave “to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore.” Mark 13:34, 35. “Therefore” means, “for this reason.” He says that because He has commanded the porter to watch, for this reason you are to watch. The duty of the porter is to meet all who come to the door, lead them to the Master, and make them acquainted with Him. Or as the porter on the train, under the direction of the conductor, faithfully calls the stations by the way, apprising the passengers of the nearness of their destination, assisting with their burdens and supporting the weak, so Christ commissions you to make known faithfully to the passers-by the way, the nearness of the final change, the last passing landmarks to the city of God. “One is your Master, even Christ.” Matt. 23:10. “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” John 20:21. Then, while the Father has committed “all power” to the Son, and sent Him to unlock the treasures of the kingdom for lost, fallen mortals, making a “door of hope,” Christ has graciously associated with Himself His followers here, placing in their hands the keys, asking them to watch, and to open the door to every son and daughter of Adam who can be turned from the way of sin. You are not asked to arrest the person in his course. God has promised to do that. John 16:8; Isa. 30:21. He asks you to open the door and invite him in, and, as a true porter, lead him to the Master. Are you willing to be entrusted with the keys? CLARENCE SANTEE.