We’re All Invited
Read Matthew 22:1-14. It’s the parable of the Wedding Banquet. It’s a story about how God sent people to teach us and encourage us to follow His ways. Those that didn’t follow his ways were uninvited from the wedding banquet (aka. Salvation). And since those who were originally invited (Jewish people) didn’t follow his ways, the wedding was opened up to others (aka. Gentiles. e.g. you and me).
Those that don’t follow his ways are uninvited from the wedding banquet (aka. Salvation)
That sounds good for us. But the story continues. Although we are now invited to participate in the wedding, and enjoy the gift of salvation, the story suggests that if we also don’t follow his ways, that we will also be denied access.
Few Are Chosen
The story ends at Matthew 22:14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
The moral to this story: Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t mean you are guaranteed entry into heaven. Turn from your worldly ways and follow God and His ways. Seek the straight and narrow path. Seek His Kingdom and His will…not your own. Otherwise, in the last days, God may do what he did to those in verse 13 who weren’t prepared…”Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Don’t Be Deceived
This story is about our salvation. Accepting Jesus as your savior is a good first step. However, you must also be living your faith and producing the fruit of the spirit. Grace by faith is still true here. However, a true faith will produce fruit because of the salvation through faith. If you don’t live according to God’s will and seek his ways, your faith is empty and will be called a counterfeit at the last days.
Good message Brad! We must also keep in mind the additional details of Jesus’ teaching about that wedding. Of the virgins (the Christian church) – only 1/2 of them actually made it in to the wedding feast. That means that if Jesus came today, of the 2.3 billion Christians – only 50% of them – 1.15 billion Christians would go with Him in the rapture to His wedding feast. Some Christian churches could be pretty full AFTER the rapture! You need to be sure that you personally believe in Jesus the Christ as your Lord and Savior. Believe it in your heart and confess it with your tongue and you will be in the group of Christians that go. If not – you will stay behind even though you have been a member of First Church since you were born. Now – who on this planet do you love? Spend the rest of your days witnessing to them about Jesus so that they can join you with Him in all of eternity. Don’t forget those fellow church members who are at current risk of being left behind either – be His witness in your family, in your church and to the ends of the earth!