Galatians 3:27 (NIV) ...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Even though some things have changed with dress protocols in our country, there are still dress codes that should and usually are adhered to. For example, most people would not show up to a funeral service in shorts and sandals. You would dress appropriately to show respect for the deceased and for their family. Another example is a wedding. If you show up to a wedding ceremony dressed in jeans and sneakers, you will stand out in an uncomfortable way, as most people will be quite dressed up for the celebratory occasion. It still matters how we dress in certain situations.

When it comes to our relationship with God, it becomes utterly crucial to be dressed appropriately. It’s so important that if you are not dressed the right way, you won’t make it into heaven. Jesus taught this truth using the example of a wedding celebration and feast that a king had arranged for his son. People from all different walks of life were invited, including the bad and the good (Matthew 22:8-10). They were brought in straight from the streets to celebrate this happy occasion. One man was singled out because he was not wearing wedding clothes. When asked how he got in without wedding clothes, he had no answer and no excuse. The king had the man thrown out into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:11-13), signifying damnation. That’s very severe for just wearing inappropriate clothing. But to understand the parable correctly, it’s important to know that in the days of Jesus, it was customary for a king or important official to provide proper wedding clothes as people came in. That’s why the king asked the man how he got in without wedding clothes. The only explanation is that the man refused the clothes and tried to be a part of the wedding anyway.

Many people try to do the same thing today when it comes to their relationship with God. Jesus said that the only way to the Father was through Him (John 14:6). When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God hands you your wedding clothes, which is being clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ. What that means is that you have submitted your life to Christ Jesus and are depending on Him to live in you through the Holy Spirit so that you will be properly dressed. That’s the only way that you can be fit, ready and prepared to be a part of the wedding of the Lamb, which is the union between Christ Jesus and His bride, the Church (you and me!) We have no excuse to show up inappropriately dressed since the right clothes (Christ in you) have been provided. Make sure that you fit in to that all-important wedding celebration and feast by putting on Jesus, so that you will not only be dressed properly for the celebration, but so that you also will have everything you need to arrive to the wedding feast safe and sound, having lived a righteous life through the one who died and rose again so that you would have the power to do so.

Pastor Joey Vazquez