What is the best invitation you have ever received? Was it an invitation to a friend’s party, an invitation to go with someone to a special play or concert? Or was it an invitation to go on a long and exciting trip to a place you had only dreamed of going?
Whether we have recognized it or not, the best invitation we have ever received, is an invitation to come to Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew (11:28-29) Jesus extends a personal invitation to everyone. He says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.”
The invitation of Christ is indicative of God’s nature. God has always taken the initiative in calling us to a relationship with Him.
James, the brother of our Lord said, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Hebrews 10:8 says, “It is good to draw near to God.” Ponder these four reasons to draw near to God
- To feel that God is near
- To be perfectly reconciled to him
- To trust in him
- To declare all of his works
After Moses had gone up into the Mountain to be alone with God and to be near God, after he had been reconciled to God and trusted God then he was in a position to declare the works of God, to deliver God’s Word to the people.
Being close to God not only meets our deepest needs but it gives authority to our witness. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits”. And unless we have a close relationship with God we cannot bear fruit for him.
In His Love, Charles
