"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Mathew 22:14 is intriguing to say the least. Heard an interpretation of this verse the other day that basically placed the onus of being a christian on God. And I was led immediately to ponder on the parable to derive the truth on what Jesus actually meant. Can we throw our hands in the air and say that God has already chosen people for eternal damnation & people for salvation? There is nothing more that can be done about it. If so what is the meaning of John 1:7 - 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him ALL men might believe.

Mat 22: 3,9 - '3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. 9Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' The following truths emerge: that many reject Christ at the invitation stage itself as they have hardened their hearts to God & that God invites everybody.

Mat 22:11, 12- 'But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. This is interesting. The man had heard the word, accepted Christ, but came to the banquet unprepared by not wearing wedding clothes. But if he was homeless and a pauper he couldn't have afforded the wedding clothes anyways. So why was the King angry?

The King was angry because the only things that was required of the man was wear his wedding clothes & he didn't. The King of course knew that this man & many men like him who had been invited were poor & couldn't afford wedding clothes. It was highly probable that the Kings bearers had given them all royal robes to wear for the occassion & this man had scorned them. In other words he had taken the invitation too lightly. Luke 13: 26, 27 highlights this: 26"Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' All of us are called to put off our old garments once we accept the invitation. Ephesians 4: 22 illustrates this- 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.

Which brings us to the hard part. Will all who accept Christ go to heaven. the answer is a hard-hitting NO. Because if we continue to wear our old self & not wear the wedding garments symbolizing the holiness & righteousness of Christ, we mock God. You have to understand that the proof of your invitation to the banquet is the wedding clothes which the King Himself gave you & nothing else.

I hope the answer that we receive will not be as in Luke 13: 27- 27"But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' . We are called to wear our wedding clothes permanantly and stand watch for that day & hour we know not. Mathew 24: 42- 42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. For many are invited, but few are chosen. He who has ears let him hear.