Revelation 22:17-21
I receive a great deal of flyers and notices and invitations to workshops in the mail. Most of them now-days have as part of the invitation an explanation – “Who should come to this? Those wanting deeper understanding of the Bible.” Or “Those who need to learn the tax laws,” and so on.
This is an attempt to avoid wasting your time and their time. If you fall into such and such a category you should come. If not, this might not be for you.
But the Bible ends with a broad invitation from God. Who offers the invitation? Who echoes it? Who should come?
What warning is presented in verses 18 and 19? What promise does Jesus make?
We are all invited to come to God, to take part in His love and mercy. Who should come? All of us. Who invites us? The Holy Spirit and “the bride.”
The bride of Christ is the church, that body of believers who follow the teaching of Jesus and who are obedient to the will of God. And so, we who believe in God should join with the Holy Spirit and invite all to come to the Lord’s table. Then all who hear the good news of salvation, who hear about the cleansing love and power of God, should also take up the invitation.
God’s goodness is open to all who thirst for that goodness, who hunger for mercy and holiness. All those in need of healing, spiritual rejuvenation, spiritual strength and solace, are invited to freely partake in God’s love – His gift of new life.
Since the Holy Spirit joins together with the bride – that is, the church – then church worship is an opportunity to wash our robes, to cleanse our souls, to prepare to accept Christ’s invitation. So, how do you respond to this invitation to worship? Do you enter in with a heart desiring to connect with God? Do you take part in worship with a heart desiring to invite others to join in this goodness of God?
The Spirit says, “Come!” Will you as the bride or as one who hears also say, “Come”? Will you take freely of the water of life, and will you bring others to this wellspring of love?
DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you prepare yourself to receive and offer an invitation?
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