Leadership – Wearing the Right Clothes
I’ve often wondered what Jesus means in Matthew 22 in the wedding feast of the King: to wear the right type of clothes for the wedding. You recall the story: the King wants all to be invited, and then, when the King sees a guest seated without the right clothes, he has him bound hand and foot and thrown into hell (Matthew 22:1–14). The more I read Scripture, I’m reminded how important it is what we do. I see many just coasting - myself included - happy to go along for the ride, to show up casually and enjoy the fruits without the labor. That is not God’s way.
Listen to how God puts it in Revelation 22:14-16: “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.” “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”
You see, you and I must wash our robes. That means you and I are responsible for good deeds. It matters greatly what we do, for at the wedding feast, what we wear will be what we have done for the King and how we’ve done it. Actions matter, as do motives.
God salts the earth with those He chooses. Thank God that He’s been willing to use Canadians in the roles He’s had for us. In my humble opinion, we’ve a distinguished history of cheerfully punching hard above our weight class: Vimy Ridge, Lord Beaverbrook, and all the fur-trading fort builders and forest-clearing pioneers - my grandparents included - proved that time and again. God has an amazing way of using His people for His purposes. We will only be made famous in God's eyes by what we do. Don’t ever look for worldly fame. I can’t imagine what the spotlight would do to me. I wouldn’t want it for a minute. But a good reputation in God’s sight is a treasure we all ought to work for daily.
Faith without works is dead. James, the brother of Jesus, puts it this way: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17). We see that with King David’s “Three” mighty warriors and the “Thirty” who emulated them. David promoted men based on merit (2 Samuel 23:23). That is the only promotion with honor. Better to fight alone in a field surrounded by hounds and 300 Philistines than to take a position or plunder not earned (2 Samuel 23:10).
Let’s encourage each other this Christmas season that God’s way is different - yet way better. And our dress code is one of fine linen. White linen. Good deeds done in and for the blood of Christ.
As we roll into the last month of the year, when gift planning and travel plans shift into high gear, pressure mounts. So be it. Take a new grip on the wheel and get excited to plan for the new year and new adventures. Yes, there will be some stress and anxiety. To be part of the Three or the Thirty, we will have to trust God for protection, energy, inspiration, insight, and determination. I pray that God is indeed your rock and that we find not only protection in Him, but safety, refuge, and peace.
I’m trusting God for a great year in 2026. 2025 came with so many personal blessings and answers to prayer (we are super excited about our sixth grandchild, scheduled for June of 2026 - we are praying for her now). The most important are the spiritual blessings we are seeing in our families and all over the world. We still see lots of persecution (Nigeria, Ireland, Canada, and yes, even here in the USA), but we also see incredible revivals and spiritual awakenings. God's Kingdom is growing before His return, just as He promised it would.
I also pray that God leads our families and us even more directly. Yearn to hear and follow His will. May we truly seek God's will. I believe that God is victorious and that He gives us His shield of victory. It’s God’s help that lets us accomplish anything of lasting value. As we prepare for the year ahead, I encourage you: make big plans and live obediently for Christ. That’s my goal and my commitment. Jesus reigns, and He will give us great victories as we trust in Him more and more.
King Solomon knew what we too know: “The Lord detests the perverse, but He offers His friendship to the godly.” (Proverbs 3:32) That friendship is the heart of Christmas: God became a man so He could walk with men. Good leadership is friendship with God. Let’s live that friendship out today by how well we treat our wives, how hard we work, and how persistent we are in our earnest prayers. Refuse to make peace with wickedness in the places God has put under our care; cut out the rot. Confront fraud and self-dealing, cowardice, and spiritual compromise. Encourage the godly. Loyalty to Jesus is always the right call, especially when it costs something.
That same loyalty keeps good men loyal to the church. As C.S. Lewis warned in The Screwtape Letters, it is to the devil’s advantage when we abandon the church over our petty preferences. By all means, fight hard for orthodoxy and reject woke ideology. But don't give up. I have to remind myself not to bail on Christ’s bride when she’s struggling; we stay, we fight for purity, we confront sin, we encourage the faint-hearted, and we help make her beautiful - because that’s what friends of God do. We, walking hand in hand with Jesus, are His people.
Here’s the promise we can hold to this Christmas: the God of our salvation offers His friendship to the godly. He walks right beside the man of integrity, even when December is exhausting, and the battles feel unrelenting. For God's good reasons, He permits the weeds to live among the good plants. So be it.
Be warm to all, no matter the weather. Let those you love know it.
Men, we have never had one reason to fault Jesus. He has been nothing but faithful. Recommit to Him today. Time is short. Eternity is long. Choose the path that earns His smile and His nearness.
Lord Jesus, give us courage to plan well for the upcoming year. Help us to think of new ways to motivate and encourage each other. Amen.
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