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"And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both bad and good, so [the room in which] the wedding feast [was held] was filled with guests. 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. 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." - Matthew 22:8-14 (AMP)

There are many types of urgings, desires, planned and unplanned that are termed "calling". But the term itself implies that something in the way of outside influence is involved. At least in the mind of the one experiencing it. Many law enforcement and military individuals feel that they have been "called" into their jobs. Many times it is true. God rules over all His creation, and can certainly appoint certain ones for activities in accordance with His will and plans. God's ways are "past finding out".

We as Christians, have also been given an invitation ("calling"), and set apart according to God's purpose and plan. The ultimate result of our calling is to live forever with God as His children. The invitation was drafted sometime in eternity past by God, who fore-ordained and knew all about those who would be born in the future (Matthew 22:1-4),

However, Jesus tells us beforehand that not many of those "wise" in the world will finally be chosen. (Luke 10:18-24). Ironically, whether to be chosen or not, is determined by the person who has heard the calling. The "chosen" are being clothed with the wedding garment of Christ. Otherwise, the "Christian" without being clothed with Jesus Christ, will be rejected from intimate relationship with their Savior: Among these are those Jesus describes who do many mighty and wonderful works in His name, but are never truly known by Him:

"Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]." - (Matthew 7:22-23)

These were called, but not chosen unless they follow through with complete acceptance and surrender to Jesus Christ. These believe that they are known and approved by Jesus Christ. But He "never knew them". That is, He was never involved in any of their activities. There have been many "believers", but comparatively few real overcomers. This was true in the time when Christ was on the earth. So it has always been. So it is today.

The "wedding garment" in Jesus' parable is the new self referred to by the Apostle Paul. Until we begin to grow spiritually, we are in the condition of the "old man", i.e. we are unchanged from the old life, our old natural way of thinking and living. We must, by the Holy Spirit's power, begin to change - change from the way we are, into a complete new person who is acceptable to God to be born into His family, and receive the benefits and rewards for using our talents effectively. This is the essence of growing spiritually, and becoming more and more like Christ. Paul describes it this way::

"Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

Those who do not grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:17-18), and never become spiritually mature, will be separated from those who have been faithfully growing as they use the talents and abilities that Christ apportioned to them (Matthew 25:29). They are not sent to a burning hell, but are separated into an environment of darkness. Those who grow into the likeness of Jesus will enjoy a closer relation to Jesus, and miss out on what they could have received as their rewards (Matthew 8:11-12). Separated into a darkness, they will deeply regret not having grown spiritually as they could have. This seems to be the condition described in Hebrews 6:1-8.

Some are content to just "go with the flow" of life, without growing into the likeness of Christ, and therefore they will not know the joy of full intimacy with their Savior.

May we all strive to not be Christians in name only (called), but Christians who are growing into the spiritual image and likeness of our Lord and Savior (chosen), clothed with His righteousness, (wedding garment) and ready to be chosen and accepted into the wedding supper of Jesus Christ!

"Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also." - Philippians 3:12-15 (AMP)

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)