To know to do the right and yet make a choice to do wrong is rebellion. The Word of God is very clear in what is right and what is wrong, yet so many times we as a rebellious people will still choose wrong instead of right, thus choosing death instead of life. God gives us an example in His Word of a rebellious attitude.
Mt. 22:11-14 (Amp.) But when the king came in to view the guests, he looked intently at a man there who had on no wedding garment. And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the [appropriate] wedding garment? And he was speechless (muzzled, gagged). Then the king said to the attendants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.
This man knew that in order for him to come to the wedding feast he was required to honor the the king by wearing the appropriate attire.
This parable use to bother me until the Lord gave me understanding on it. I use to think, "poor man he just forgot to put on the right garment, give him a break." But no, this man was a rebellious man. He was insensitive and didn't have a desire to honor the king with the appropriate garment. He said to himself, "I will come as I please and wear what I want to wear." I will do my will, not the kings will!
Sure, we can wear what we want for that is our choice, but don't be surprised when the king throws you out into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Weeping because you have been caught in your rebellion and now you are paying the price. And grinding of teeth because this angers you. Aren't we entitled to do what we want, and who is to tell us any differently! This is the attitude of the world and sadly the same attitude in many churches.
The last verse goes on to say "for many are called but few are chosen". It was this man's choice to be chosen or not. All it took was honoring the king by placing upon himself the appropriate garments. It was his choice and he made the wrong one and knew better.
What garments are you wearing? Are they honoring the King or are they honoring yourself and or the enemy? Are we wearing garments that was given to us by the world, man or the enemy and not garments that were given to us by our God? Are we clothed in the righteousness of Christ Jesus? Are we clothed with the garments of salvation? Do we have on our garment of Praise unto our God? Are we clothed with Jesus, which is the armor of God? Jesus is our helmet of salvation, Jesus is our breastplate of Righteousness, Jesus is our belt of Truth, for He is the Truth. Jesus is in whom we have faith, He is our shield of faith. Jesus is our shoes of Peace. Jesus is the sword of the Spirit, for He is the Word of God which became flesh and dwelt among us. When God looks upon us and if we are not clothed with the garment of salvation (Jesus His Son), we will be cast out into the outer darkness. To be invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb we must be clothed with God's beloved Son, who is Christ Jesus in us our hope of Glory. If you are trying to get to God through any other means than Jesus, I am sorry my friend, but you will be cast into the outer darkness. No man can come to the Father except through His Son Christ Jesus.
Ask yourself, am I wearing garments of rebellion, anger, unforgiveness, immorality, power, control, greed, manipulation, bitterness, pride? Could I be wearing garments of condemnation, unworthiness, shame, fear? Even these garments are not honoring your King.
God knows us inside and out for He is our Creator God, so may we choose the garments which His Son made for us. They are just the right size, and the most beautiful of garments in His sight, and they fit perfectly! May we honor our God and make His Son Jesus our identity.
For who or what we make our identity is who we honor. For what is on the inside, will show forth on the outside. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak. For what comes out of us is what defiles us.
7 comments:
My post today was about clothes too. Great minds think alike. haha
Great post.
Hello Jody,
hahaha! that's crazy that was a post that i did back in 2008 and i decided to add to it and post it again. I will be over to visit with you soon.
Tammy :)
'Ask yourself, am I wearing garments of rebellion, anger, unforgiveness, immorality, power, control, greed, manipulation, bitterness, pride? Could I be wearing garments of condemnation, unworthiness, shame, fear? Even these garments are not honoring your King.'
Yes, we are fallen (Romans 1-3) but in Christ persons are born again-regenerated (John 3) and there is grace through faith to good works (Ephesians 2).
Therefore, there is the opportunity to walk in the guidance of the Spirit for the believer. Or it could be stated the opportunity to wear a garment from God.
Tammy,
I'd like to go a bit deeper with this. If I recall correctly, in those times when a rich man or king had a wedding he had a supply of special clothes that were given to the guests to wear when they attended.
Jesus has been addressing the Pharisees and their lack of belief in Him as the Messiah. He then tells them this parable.
In the parable it says the king had sent his servant to those bidden and they wouldn't come. The Pharisees were the religious leaders of that time and they should have been the first to recognize and come to Jesus and the rest of the Jews. The Pharisees and Jews refused to come.
The king then sends his servants to invite everyone to come, those who would not normally have been invited and these come. Jesus came first to the Jews, who turned down his offer and then he offered Salvation to everyone and it was those not originally invited who came.
We have been told when we come to salvation in Jesus, our garment of scarlet will be replaced by a garment of white. The King would have given his new invited guest the wedding garments. We as Christians have been given our wedding garments by Jesus.
At the wedding a man shows up without his wedding garment. He is one who refused the invite, but now tries to come in. But he has not been given his proper garment by the King and is thrown out in the darkness.
If we have our proper garment we will be excepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. If we haven't received that garment of salvation and we try to come in without it, we too would be cast out into utter darkness.
Lar
Thank you Russ,
Yes you are right, they were the garments that i spoke of toward the end of my blog. Garments of salvation and etc.. via Christ Jesus.
Tammy :)
Amen Lar, i'm happy that the Lord used this writing to inspire you. You always do well taking it a little bit further i think we work well together when it comes to our inspiration and writings :)
Tammy
I really like how you explained this parable! Haven't thought of these as "garments of rebellion" before, but I will remember that. Also, I picked up on the quite that satire and theology did, too. Great one. Good post! A+!
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