Ready for the Bridegroom's Call

Introductory questions to chew

Am I receptive to all my King's summons?

Do I take His words and wishes seriously?

When He calls, do I go His way or mine?

"Not worthy" -- Lord, is it I?

How important is that wedding to me?

On whose terms will I try to get in?

Shall I insist on being clothed with my own righteousness?

Many called; few chosen -- Lord, please choose me!

Are you dressed for the occasion?

In the last eight months, I attended two very special weddings. First, our son Russell married Shari. Several months later, our daughter LaVay married Luke. I hadn't worn a suit in years, but I did for both of those occasions. Something about marriage ceremonies makes me want to wear something special, especially if a family member is part of the featured couple. But if I hadn't worn something special, no great harm would have been done.

Another marriage is on the horizon. I want to be appropriately dressed for that occasion as well. After all, it will top all other weddings for "special." For this one, though, if I don't dress properly, the greatest of all harms will be done to me. I won't even be allowed to attend with the consequences of that being eternal.

So here's a piece of the coming scene as painted in Revelation 19:7-9:

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

In that marriage I have been called to be part of the bride of the Lamb!

Part of my calling in this life is to make myself ready.

And part of making myself ready is wearing now the garment for the occasion then.

The bride is to be clothed in clean, white, fine linen.

How do I wear that now?

By living in the righteousness of the Lamb, "for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

What is the array of clothing worn by the saints in this life?

We already noted righteousness in today's text. Here are some other verses that expand that for us:

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14).

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (Colossians 3:12).

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:14).

"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).

Am I dressed?

Are you?