R.S.V.P.

Invitations are made verbally in person or by phone, as well as by mail and e-mail. They can also be passed on through others. Some invitations come marked R.S.V.P. while others may be sent with the assumption they will be accepted. The expression R.S.V.P. is French for “Repondez s’il vous plait” which in English means “respond if you please.” Now, some invitations are more special than others. And perhaps some invitations may be declined without any adverse consequences. After all, we live very busy lives and can ’t attend everything. However, there is one invitation we should feel very privileged to have had extended to us and we dare not allow anything to keep us from accepting.

Jesus offered the following invitation which still stands.
“(28) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ( Matthew 11:28-29 ESV)

It is up to us to accept the invitation and come to Him. Jesus will not come after us in order to drag us to Him. Remember how the father of the lost son kept watching for his son’s return, but did not go off to the far country and drag him home. The lost son had to come to his senses and make the decision to “arise and go.” ( Luke 15:18)

We must also come to Jesus on His terms. He did not say, “Stay where you are and do what ‘you please’ and I will give. Rather, the coming to Him is to be accompanied by a willingness to accept His yoke (that is to submit to His Authority and Will) and learn from Him. It is in the coming to Him with a surrendered will that we will ultimately find rest for our souls. And HE WILL BE PLEASED with all who will respond, accepting the invitation He has extended.

If the invitation still needs to be accepted, let it be done today. If it has been accepted, let us be mindful of extending it to others. It is the greatest invitation that has been offered to mankind and comes from the greatest Inviter; the One Who gave Himself in order to provide us with the greatest blessings possible. Let us continue to live in Him that those blessings will be ours.

Have a great day RETAINING OUR PLACE ON THE LORD’S GUEST LIST!
Carl

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