In April of 1988, I purchased my wedding dress. Actually, my mother purchased it for me. I had tried on around 10 that were in my affordable category, $300 or so. Afterward, I chose the first one I had pulled off the rack.
In July of 1988, I wore the dress, not once, but twice. My spouse and I had two wedding receptions, one in Florida and a second in Michigan. Today it is preserved in a box, shelved up high in my closet.
Though historians claim that the white bridal dress was first popularized by Queen Victoria when she married Albert of Saxe-Cogburg in 1840, the true origin is Revelation 19:7-9.
“‘Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.’ 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, ‘Write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”’ And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.’”
The bride of Christ is the body of believers, disciples of Lord Jesus. We are to be clothed in fine linen which is bright and clean in Heaven. The linen is given to us because of our righteous acts.
Aha! We are to be doers not just speakers of the Word. (James 1:22) And, we must put the linen on ourselves—”the bride has made herself ready.” Another indication that we must be doers.
After Lord Jesus settled in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, He went walking by the water. There He called His first disciples to follow Him: Peter, Andrew, James and John. The four were fishermen and had been busy casting nets, mending nets and fishing with their father. (Matthew 4:18-22) Immediately they left what they were doing (their work) and followed Lord Jesus (a full-time commitment).
These men were already doers, not afraid of hard work, just as those in the Old Testament were. David kept sheep while fighting off bears and lions. Amos was a farmer. Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep. Gideon was threshing wheat. Elisha was plowing his fields. God calls doers to discipleship.
Discipleship means leaving behind the nets, the boats, and farming equipment. It means following immediately where Lord Jesus leads.
He calls us to live a life of righteous acts that He calls us to.
Some will be called to preach.
Some will be evangelists, teachers, prophets, etc…
But we are all called to do something for God, not out of our own imagination, but specifically in the role He gives to each of us.
Nancy Halford works at a WalMart. She reacted immediately when worship began inside her workplace. Nancy stopped work and joined the celebration. God used her video for His glory. Doer. (Libby Emmons/The Post Millennial)
The worshipers had felt called to hold a service in a WalMart because churches were closed. Doers.
Sean Feucht has gone into the middle of the riots in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington to lead worship in the face of open threats and curses. Many were touched and came to know The Lord. This is obedience to divine direction. Doer. (Aimee Herd/BCN)
Humbly, The Lord has called me to write. I write five days a week. This blog reaches Africa, Canada, Europe, the USA, and Asia. Who reads it? People like you, who are from the Church, part of the body of Christ. It is a way that we might stay connected. Right now, this is what I do for God and the Name of Jesus.
Yes, I do get some flack for it. But I have not yet been threatened.
What are you doing? What are your righteous acts? God is calling you to stand up and act.
Read More:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN NOT TO FEAR
(C) 2020 Kelly Jadon