By: Denny

The letters RSVP is an abbreviation of a French phrase, repondez sil vous plait, and meaning Please Reply. It is commonly used at the end of an invitation requesting a response indicating whether one plans to attend. In other words; are you coming? The RSVP is usually required to be submitted by a set date. In the case of a wedding reception, banquet, or any event where food will be served; the host needs to know how many are coming so they can plan accordingly. As the host, it’s always a good idea to prepare a little extra because inevitably there will be those who show up that didn’t RSVP. Likewise, there may be some who did RSVP but for many reasons failed to attend. I guess it would be better to have a surplus of food than to not have enough.

Our men’s group at church, Men of Valor, has been planning since November to host a Valentine’s dinner for the ladies. We want to show our appreciation to them for all they do in organizing and preparing food for various events throughout the year. This exclusive dinner is not open to the public but is strictly for the couples and single women in our church. We have rented a community banquet room for the event. This is a fancy dress up sit down dinner, not a casual come as you are buffet. We will have a photo booth and entertainment. The men are doing all the set up, cooking, serving, and clean up. All the ladies need to do is wear that dress they’ve been saving for a special occasion, doll themselves up, sit back, and enjoy. When we announced it several weeks ago it created no small excitement among the women. Each man was assigned a specific task in order to pull this whole thing off. I made a signup sheet for people to sign if they were coming. I also got on my computer and developed a real nice invitation for others to hand out. We wanted to include those who have attended the church but may not come regularly and missed the announcement. Everyone must RSVP by February 8^th, and if all on our list of potential participants does so we will have about forty eight people. To date only twenty five have actually RSVP’d. Many people have invited others person to person. The responses varied from: maybe, we’ll think about it, I’ll mark it on my calendar as a reminder, we’ll see but not sure. Some have procrastinated saying, “I keep meaning to call so and so and invite them but I forget.” Except for a clearly stated “no”, anything else is not a definitive RSVP and can’t be counted. We are preparing food and a place setting only for the ones who RSVP, not the ones who don’t. People who show up at the last minute whose names aren’t on the list of those who RSVP’d and are not properly dressed for the occasion may not be admitted. If that sounds harsh then you’ll be surprised to learn what Jesus said about the exact same situation.

First of all, the Gospel by its very nature demands a response. It is God’s personal invitation to everyone to come and be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ. As it says in Acts 4:12, There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  You may have heard the phrase, “Invite Jesus into your heart”, which technically isn’t exactly Biblical terminology. God is the one who is continually inviting us. Isaiah 65:2; “I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people.” And again in Isaiah 55:1,3; “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live.” Jesus spoke these very words concerning Himself in John 7:37; “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” I can’t begin to quote all the verses from Genesis to Revelation where God repeatedly gives an open invitation to come to Him. All that’s needed is for each and every person to RSVP as stated in John 1:12; But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. The Gospel is often referred to as the Great Exchange. We were all born with a sin nature which keeps us from having a relationship with God, because sin cannot abide in His presence. That is why He removed Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. From the very beginning God’s plan was to send His own son, namely Jesus, who came to earth and took on the form of a man. He lived a perfect sinless life and willingly sacrificed Himself on the cross as payment for our sins. He literally took our sins upon Himself. So, the very essence of the Gospel’s invitation is when we RSVP by accepting Christ. He cleanses us from our sin and we take on His righteousness and He gives us eternal life. That’s a pretty good deal and cause to celebrate!

In Matthew 22 Jesus spoke a parable about a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. He invited certain people and they all refused to attend, and not only that, they killed the servants of the king who brought the invitation. So the king had them all killed and destroyed their cities. He then instructed his servants to go out and invite as many as they could find. The wedding hall was filled with guests and the king provided a special wedding garment for each to wear for the occasion. However, when the king came he found one man who did not have on the wedding garment he provided. When confronted the man was speechless and the king had his servants throw the man out. The point Jesus was making was nobody will be permitted to enter Heaven without wearing the garment of His righteousness that He provides. Our own self righteousness based on good deeds or vain religious traditions are like filthy garments to God. (Isaiah 64:6) I believe in attending a good Bible based church, but as good as it is, many misinterpret the invitation and think that church attendance is coming to Jesus, but it isn’t. Your church can’t save you. Otherwise how can Matthew 7:21-23 be explained or the narrow path mentioned in verses 13-14. In Luke 14 Jesus spoke another similar parable about a certain man who gave a great supper and personally invited many. They all without exception RSVP’d with lame excuses why they couldn’t come. Friend, Jesus even now is preparing a place setting at His table where all who have RSVP’d by accepting His invitation to come to Him will be seated. Don’t procrastinate and miss out as the deadline to RSVP is fast approaching and the door will be closed. Matthew 25:10b; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding and the door was shut.     Please RSVP today.