Mathew 22:
11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
[12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
[13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Greetings beloved,in all activities we do physically speaking there is a PROPER WAY of doing things,this involves doing the right things.How we do things matter,it’s not about the work but how you do the work;
It’s not about fasting but how you fast..
It’s not about praying but how you pray…
It’s not about giving but how you give ..!!
Lets go to the gospel account of the wedding invitation above we can see that the man who was taken out was invited to the feast as anybody else was,but his “problem” was how he came in the feast: WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT”!!!
What I would want my reader to understand is that we are all called by God but there are some requirements and procedures to be met to be accepted into the place of invitation.
1)HOW DID YOU ENTER THE SPIRITUAL REALM?
Let me take for instance entering into the spiritual realm,it matters how you become spiritual.In the old testament they did it through RITUALS,BLOOD OF ANIMALS,WASHINGS and WORKS… because the way was not yet prepared but once the way was in place the means of entry into the holy of holies was not the same its is now through FAITH ,THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST,REPENTANCE and by the HOLYSPIRIT.
Hebrews 9;8] The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
The reason I brought this up is because many have fallen into the trap of “men of God ” who use old testament means to do things in the church; holy brooms,asking for animals to slaughter,money to minister to their “clients”.what they simply do is deny the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect work on the cross received through FAITH,THE WORD,PRAYER AND TRUSTING IN THE HOLYSPIRIT TO enter the spiritual realm .
2)HOW DID YOU ENTER THE MINISTRY?
Beloved the two major ways used by many is;
a)CALLING,GIFTS,CAREER,PRESSURE,NECESSITY,FINANCIAL ABILITY,EDUCATION.
b)CALLING AND CHOOSING OF GOD,CHARACTER,HOLINESS.SUFFERING
The man in Mathew 22 was called yet lacked a wedding garment(choosing) and that led to him being cast to hell.
Again in Mathew 7:
21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,(CALLING) shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will(CHOOSING) of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,(CALLING) have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.(LACK CHOOSING)
The first category entered the ministry because they had theological knowledge of the WORD of God but lacked the training(SUFFERING) that God takes his servants through before he receives them as his approved ministers in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:
4] But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust(APPROVED) with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
[5] For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
CAN YOU BE TRUSTED WITH THE GOSPEL?
They have drunk from the cup(suffering) that their Lord drank and are baptized with the baptism(persecution) their Lord was baptised….
Their faith haven’t been tested and approved by God to be genuine faith…
“Gold is tested in fire…”
True faith is tested in suffering,troubles,pain etc.They have the TITLES yet without the LIFESTYLE..
1 Corinthians 1:
26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
[27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Corinthians 4:
11] Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
[12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
[13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
The first category above are those who are APPROVED by men without the approval of God,while the second are APPROVED by GOD and men.
Acts 13:
2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
[3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
[4] So they, being SENT FORTH BY THE HOLY GHOST, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
We can see that the foundation of their ministry was first “ministry to the Lord(PRAYER)” before “Ministry to men”
We must be rooted in the place of prayer/ministry to the Lord before we can minister to God’s people.
WHO SENT YOU INTO MINISTRY?
You can guess their ending as the man in the feast :
weeping and gnashing of teeth!!!!!!
Joseph ochuka 