Open Invitation part 4
This is the part I think we need to really get into today, "...Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life" (Revelation 22:17, NLT). Because, let's face it, we can be rather pushy. Especially when we're convinced that we are right and someone else is wrong. We think it's our job to "fix" that situation. Usually be beating them over the head with our rightness and their wrongness, until they can see things as they really are, and come over to our side. But that's not how God operates, so it shouldn't be how we operate. Because, really, it is God operating in us and through us and as us that really makes a difference. We don't try to do what He would do. We simply let Him do what He's of a mind to do (one more time) in us, and through us, and as us. He reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. But here's the key: "Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" (Romans 2:4, NLT). In the KJV it reads, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Repentance--thinking differently about something in light of something else. Turning from our sin (or unbelief, or the lie of the world), in light of the truth. The ultimate truth of the universe is that God is love and He loves you. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hands. There. Right there. That's the key. God prepared a table for us in the presence of our enemies. A six-course meal known as the Six Steps to the Throne (Jesus was Crucified, Died, Buried, Quickened, Raised, and Seated). But He doesn't force us to come. Remember when we looked at the parable of the feast? People had lots of excuses as to why NOT to come. And the Master didn't force them to. He just opened up His feast to everybody else. And, yes, He urged people to come unto the feast was full. But there's a difference between being urged and being forced. I don't believe God forces His will on us. I believe we have a measure of free will. Free choice. We can believe whatever we want to. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come," but we don't HAVE to come. We SHOULD, because they are inviting us into the best thing going, but we don't have to. And I'm not talking about missing out on heaven in the afterlife. If you listen to my podcast you know how I feel about the afterlife. I'm talking about missing out on what is available to us right now. Missing out on the abundant LIFE that Jesus came so that we might have. I'm talking about the more excellent way that is Jesus, that is love. I'm talking about answering the ringing of the dinner bell. If the Kingdom of God is at hand--that means it's within reach. All we have to do is receive it and release it. Receive it BY releasing it. Release it by receiving it. Fill ourselves to overflowing with what God has already filled us with and let what is already inside come out. The LOVE that is already inside come out when we know and believe that it's in there. And that's how we experience this love feast. We let God love us and we love Him back by loving the people we come into contact with. But unless someone desires that living water... they won't reach out for it. So just present it to them, instead of trying to force it on them. Let people do what they're going to do--you can't really stop them anyway. And love them no matter what. That is the goodness of God. That is what people will see and desire. His goodness. His mercy. His forgiveness. His grace. His love!