Wedding Thoughts...

The wedding I officiated recently was at Terrapin Point right next to Niagara Falls, as in, you can hear and see the water flowing over the falls. Being where it is, there are other guests that are actually tourists from across the country and world. What made the ceremony interesting was the end. You have 50 invited guests along with about 100 uninvited tourist guests that have been shooting footage of this wondrous occasion, and then the announcement comes, “Please join us at the Top of the Falls Restaurant for the reception to follow.” Uh Oh!

Immediately I think, “Hey, I have to say INVITED guests only!”

And then it hits me... the similarities between Jesus story about the wedding and those invited. In Matthew 22:14 it says, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” You could say that because we were in a very public place there were extra guests, but only those that received an invitation, those that were chosen to be there could be part of the reception. Interestingly enough we actually had someone follow the Wedding party up to the top only to be told, “you can't be part of this”.

In this day and age so many people have begun to believe that everyone is going to heaven. That God isn't going to exclude anyone. The bible doesn't teach that. And this wedding experience pointed that out to me. Was the wedding open to everyone? Sure it was. Were all those people chosen to be part of the celebration afterward? No. We we trying to be mean and exclusive? No, but there were people we didn't know. Likewise on the day Jesus returns those who have not a personal relationship with Him will not be counted among His own.

How do you get chosen? How do you get to go? The bible says there is only ONE way, and it is through Jesus. Begin by confessing your sin and agreeing (repenting) that God's way is the right and only way to be saved from sin and for heaven. Without repentance there is no relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Just being a good person doesn't cut it. It is my grace through faith that you are saved. God shows mercy to you by not giving you what you deserve... hell and eternal separation from Him. And He shows grace to you by giving you what you could never earn, unmerited favor with Him... a personal relationship, being declared right in His sight.

If you want to know more contact me, I'm more than glad to answer questions and dialog.

God bless! Lonnie