Accept The Invitation

You are invited! That’s right, you have been to the greatest event in the history of the world. Bigger than the Super Bowl, the World Cup and the American Idol finale all wrapped into one!

If you are reading this, if you have seen the beauty of the world, if someone has told you about Jesus or even if you have simply met a Christian, then you have been invited into the greatest relationship in history. You have been invited to enjoy a right relationship with God for eternity!

No matter what you believe right now, no matter what you have done or what has happened to you in life, you are invited. The Bible explains:

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:19-21)

The invitation you have received invites you to an eternity of joy and acceptance by God. It entitles you to fantastic promises of peace, mercy, protection, help and love. To accept this invitation, all you have to do is respond in your heart by acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and believing the good news of his salvation.

The invitation is extended to you, even though you have not done anything to earn it. In fact, apart from accepting this invitation, you will forever be excluded from joining God’s people.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:1-5)

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” (Colossians 1:21-23)

Accepting the invitation is more than just believing in God. It is more than just going to church. It is more than just reading a Bible of knowing the name of Jesus. It is something you must do wholeheartedly. You cannot hold onto things outside of God and still be invited in. You must choose Jesus over all that would compete with your desire.

“Do not let sin control the way you live;do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:12-13, NLT)

“You adulterous people,don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

You may have received this invitation before. You may have considered accepting, but something held you back. But have no fear! The purest joy, the satisfaction for the deepest longing in your soul is available by accepting the invitation. Why cling to your old ways, when the wonders of God await you? Choose to believe. Choose love. Choose life. Accept the invitation!