The Day I Was Called: But Not Chosen!

TheDiscipleMd

Many years ago I was invited to attend a ground breaking ceremony for a new church building. At the time I held a rather prominent position in the church. Upon arriving at the ceremony, I discovered that I had woefully under dressed for the occasion. In consequence of my lack of appropriate apparel, I voluntarily excluded myself from participation in the event. It was an embarrassment to me and to my priesthood leaders.

“…when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him…out…For many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22: 11-14)

“All are invited to the gospel feast; but they who will partake of it must put on the King’s wedding garment of evangelical holiness. And whereas it is said in the parable that only one was descried without this garment, this is intended to teach, that the King will not only generally view His guests, but that each will be separately examined, and that no one—no, not a single individual—will be able to escape discovery amidst the mass of guests, if he has not the wedding garment. In short, in that day of trial, it is not a scrutiny of churches, but of individuals in the Church…. The call comes to all; but it may be outwardly accepted, and a man may sit down to the feast, and yet he may not be chosen to partake of the feast, because he has not the wedding garment of converting, sanctifying grace.” (Edersheim’s vol. 2, pp. 429, 430)

I found out the day I attended the ground breaking ceremony, what it feels like to be ‘called but not chosen.’ May we all live such a life, that when the day of the Lord’s wedding feast arrives, we will be found wearing the proper garment of conversion and sanctifying grace.

 

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