“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man, which had not on a wedding garment” (Matt. 22:10-11).
You are not going to function in God’s kingdom if you haven’t made a decision about Jesus. The man in this verse who did not have on a wedding garment was rejected because the wedding garment represents a decision to receive Jesus as Lord.
But once again, this parable explains to us how the Kingdom of heaven operates. First the invitation was extended to the Jews, but they didn’t receive it. Then it went to the Gentiles. Everyone is invited. Therefore, the Kingdom of God is for everybody.
Now I want you to understand something. God has callings and abilities for us to walk in, but if you won’t walk in what God has called you to do and what He has asked you to do, He will find somebody else who will take your call, and take your anointing, your blessing, and your money.
I know it’s true, because many years ago I asked the Lord why He called me to be a pastor so young. I was 23 years old when I started to pastor Word of Faith. I kind of thought I would have been the assistant pastor and worked myself up over the years. And then around the age of 35 or 40, the Lord might send me out to be a senior pastor.
But the Lord told me that he had spoken to other men about this task and they refused to do it. He said to me, “That’s why I chose you because you will do it.” Then Lord told me something else; He said that there was a group of women in this city who were praying in the Holy Ghost for years for such a church and He had to answer their prayers.
So He kept going until He found somebody who would obey Him. Now I am a blessed man, being able to pastor Word of Faith. But those people who should have had this blessing missed it; I got it instead. Thank you very much.
I am telling you in the Kingdom of God, you better obey God while He is speaking to you. Understand that God is not trying to hurt you. He is trying to help you and bless somebody else through you. Obey God so that you can walk in your own blessing.
Scripture References: Matthew 22:2-14; II Chronicles 16:9
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).