We Need a Wedding Garment
Dear Champions,
The first 3 paragraphs of the short excerpt are by Tim Keller, and the excerpt is Matthew 22:10-12 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. (the entire parable is Matthew 22:1-14)
There are many people who say, "I don't believe in a God who punishes people. I believe in a God who accepts everyone just as they are." If you believe that, you're coming in without a wedding garment.
Look at the evil and injustice in the world! If we have a God who just says, "I love you all just the way that you are," what hope is there for the world? The Biblical God says, "I will square everything! There will not be one unjust deed that will not be paid. It could be paid either one of two ways. Either you will pay, or my son can pay."
God does not just love people unconditionally. He loves people counter conditionally, at an infinite cost to Himself. You do not earn your place in the kingdom of God. If you go right into God just as you are you will be thrown into the outer darkness, and there will be no joy in your life.
Those people going in to the wedding without a garment thought that they were good enough on their own good deeds and works! None of us are good enough on our own record! Accept the wedding garment and follow Jesus!
Champions, have a great summer!-David Vining
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