The Garment of Salvation

But when the king came to view the guests, he saw a man there was not dresses for a wedding. So he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?" The man was speechless.

Then the king told the attendants, "tie him up hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are invited, but few are chosen." Matt22:11-14

I never understood the above for a long time. I had thought wow! no one wanted to come so the king had to bring in all the rejects and then he was not grateful that they came but tossed them out for not having the right clothes. How many rejects of society do you know that would have the right clothes to go to a wedding?

But God has a meaning. Not only were the 'sons of Israel' unwilling to come to the banquet causing the Lord to go to us, the Gentiles, He has a protocol. Perhaps the clothes were handed out at the entrance, this would explain the reason.

In the Kingdom of God, when we say 'Yes' to Jesus we are given a garment of salvation, to presume that I can walk into the Lord's presence in my own righteousness is wrong. The Pharisees wanted to do precisely that. They were arrogant in their 'righteousness' and wanted to dictate terms.

Even the lowest of low will be given the garment of salvation so there is no excuse. I cannot dictate terms to God. I am welcome, but I must respect Him for who He is.

If a rich man invites me to his house for dinner and I go straight from mowing the lawn, smelly and with grass all over me I will be showing disrespect.

Even more so if I have been given a brand new set of clothes to wear and I fail to shower and dress with care.

Yes I am so welcome by my God, yes I am loved but the garment He gives me was purchased by His Son's blood and is precious. To not wear the garment is not good relationship, not good manners, not respectful.

As a Christian to walk in fellowship, friendship, relationship with my God I must learn about relationship with Him. We are talking about the God of Heaven folks. Each and every relationship we develop there is a protocol for our behaviour, so why not so with our God?

'Few are chosen' refers to our behaviour. I may be called and invited but if I abuse and mistreat my God I don't think He will want to be my friend.

Wise up! Humble down! Walk right!