HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Matthew 22:12

The wedding garment — that is the one thing needful.

Not social position. There is many a house on earth into which I have no right of the entrance — I have no rank sufficiently high. The lords and ladies ride by me in jewels and furs — while I may stalk gauntly and pensively along the city streets. But God is not led captive by the gold ring and the purple robe.

Not intellectual distinction. The princes in philosophy, the wise and the prudent, perhaps hold me in scorn — so ignorant I am, and uncultured, and commonplace. But if “the educated” pass me unnoticed, not so Jesus Christ. His marriage feast is not gotten ready for scholars and savants; and, when these come to it, they come as little children, with humble wills and teachable souls and contrite spirits.

Not ecclesiastical approbation. It is good to be within the Church and to be held in esteem by its members. But the men who stand high in the Lord’s house, have sometimes dealt harshly with the Lord’s little ones. I may be of no account in His earthly church — and yet may be cherished in His secret heart. Not everyone who worships Him outwardly is of His spiritual kin.

But the wedding garment — there is the essential thing. Christ’s righteousness received by me — to make me white and royal in the sight of God. Christ’s holiness dwelling within me — to change me into the same image from glory to glory. I cannot come into our King’s marriage festival, without the King’s forgiving grace and something of the King’s unearthly beauty.