For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Cor. 16:9.

The apostle Paul is writing of the opportunity opened to him for service in God's work. The call of God rings through the rooms of his soul, so that necessity is laid upon him. His choice is not a preference among other alternatives. All other possibilities fall into the background. He has one clear open door from God. God both opens doors and closes them. Everywhere as Christians we are confronted with opportunities and open doors.

"And there are many adversaries." The conjunction that joins these two sentences is worthy of note. Paul does not use the word but. He might have said "a great door is opened unto me, but,'' indicating that these adversaries made a difference whether or not he should go through that door or stop because of the adversaries.

He has taken into consideration all these adversaries. They make no difference. They cannot change his mind and purpose. Mind you, for all of us who choose Christ, there are big iniquities, frowning like dark clouds. There is much that could make us afraid if we gave in to it. We face a world sick with fear. But there is an open door to service for God. Living the Christian life is no charmed circle. There is many a temptation, many a challenge that does not spell ease and comfort, but strife and peril. It looks difficult. It is going to cost you a lot of sacrifice and discomfort. You are called to break loose from all the material comforts of life. Take a good look at this door opened unto you. You are being called in question, not on your orthodoxy, but on your personal faith and courage.

We must direct our attention to this high calling to us from God. "The word of the Lord came unto Jonah." God had opened the door to the great city of Nineveh. One man was God's chosen instrument. Jonah arose to flee. Ultimately he was delivered miraculously from the belly of the whale. God still needed him to take His word to Nineveh. The hour had struck for its destruction. God had one man. This was Nineveh's last chance. The door was open. The adversaries were legion. But Nineveh was saved.