What have you done with God's invitation?

Have you received any invitations lately? And if so, what did you do with your invitation? Did you know that you have received an invitation to dine with God (i.e., have personal fellowship with Him)? However, it is not enough to receive the invitation. We must show up!

In Luke 14:15-27 Jesus tells of a parable where many people were invited to a banquet, but had all sorts of excuses as to why they couldn't make it. In this parable Jesus makes a shocking statement:

If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:26-27

Jesus is making the point that our devotion to God must be absolute and total. God, not our family, MUST BE OUR TOP PRIORITY if we are going to be his true disciples, and we must be willing to make whatever sacrifice neceesary to obey God's invitation and call on our lives. If we are not careful, even our family can be an excuse for ignoring God's invitation and call on our lives.

And then there are those that do show up, but don't show up properly dressed. In Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus tells a parable of many people that were invited to a wedding banquet. However, someone did not have on the proper garment and was cast away. It is not enough to just show up, we must show up properly dressed. Jesus said many are called (i.e., invited), but few are chosen (i.e., members of that elite group that ultimately sit down to enjoy the blessings of the invitation- personal fellowship with the Heavenly Father!). You may be one of the many invited ones, but are you one of God's chosen? Are you one of those that showed up properly dressed? Are you one of those that are dining at the table of God?

The only acceptable attire at the table of God is the pure white robe of the righteousness of Christ.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:9
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:5
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Revelation 7:9-10

And then, there are those that answer the invitation, show up properly dressed, but don't stay at the table. They end up secluding themselves and allowing shame, heartache, or other thoughts and emotions to prevent them from staying in close fellowship with the Lord. Jesus is at your door as you read this, knocking and wishing to renew your relationship and once again enjoy that sweet fellowship you used to have.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

So where do you fall in all this? Have answered God's invitation to fellowship with Him? Have you put on the robe of righteousness in Christ through faith in the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from all sin? Have you withdrawn from the banqueting table where the Father and the people of God enjoy great fellowship? Whereever you are, Jesus is asking you to let Him sit down with you again, and rebuild, restore, and renew that sweet fellowship/communion of the Spirit.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, [be] with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.