Speaking of Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast, the week required for such a celebration is a long time to take out of one’s busy life. And it’s all the more challenging when we don’t understand how special the occasion will actually be. It’s the same way in taking that first step toward God. Maybe we don’t have the full picture. But God promises that His event is one not to be missed, and He’s immensely gratified when we jump at His offer.
But we need to be careful. There’s no “Maybe” on God’s RSVP card. He takes no pleasure in a person who submits his life to Him begrudgingly. With Jesus we’re either all in or all out; there is no middle ground. Saying yes to Christ means receiving Him not only as Savior, but also as Lord of our life. For this reason it’s the toughest decision any of us will ever make.

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

The Bible says we enter into a covenant with God when we accept His offer of eternal life. A covenant always contains responsibilities to be performed by each of the parties. So we often think of our surrender to God’s will as some sort of deal. God and me—our covenant together. But that’s not at all how the Bible portrays it. God always proclaims it to be “My covenant.” He has put us here for a purpose. God planned this party and we’ve been invited to join in the celebration.
Yet we need to appreciate that those who either respond negatively, or who ignore God’s invitation altogether, are actually making a rational choice. Free will demands that we be given such an option, and people will decide in their own self-interest—even as empty as that self-centeredness always turns out to be. God accepts that. He’s simply separating out His chosen ones.

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?

In Jesus’ parable about the Wedding Feast, the host found a man not dressed in formal wedding attire. Given the importance of the event, he flaunted disrespect through this breach of etiquette. In choosing to spurn what was proper, his act of rebellion insulted the family. And it’s interesting that the host didn’t give him the chance to run home and change. No, he knew the rules, or at least should have. Yet he defiantly chose to push the limits of the host’s graciousness by doing just as he pleased. He deserved to be thrown out.
     There’s only one way to heaven. We are welcomed by God because He has clothed us in His own righteousness through Christ’s redeeming sacrifice. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith is the key to our relationship with Him. It’s all about believing what Jesus said about Himself, and then acting on it.

From: The Path through the Maze—Answering Life’s Ultimate Question: What Happens After We Die?