R.S.V.P

Have you ever received an invitation to a birthday, anniversary, or graduation party and at the bottom there are the letters R. S. V. P.? R. S. V. P. is a French phrase that means “please respond.” To us, it means “let us know if y’all are coming so we can make sure we have enough for everyone.” Have you ever R. S. V. P.ed? Maybe you had to make a call or nowadays send a text. How nice to think someone cares enough about you to make sure there is enough for you.

Jesus sends us an invitation in Matthew 11:28. Jesus invites all those who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him, and He will give them rest. This world is full of trials and tribulations. There are the everyday stresses of surviving, aging, and sin always being near. What a wonderful thought to know that Jesus has overcome the world and He offers us rest. That is an invitation worth R. S. V. P.ing. Because this world is not my home, I believe an even greater invitation is found in Revelation 22:17. That is an invitation to heaven. Because of what Jesus has done on the cross, no one has to suffer hell and can spend eternity with God in heaven. The water of life is without cost, but we must take it. What a beautiful invitation to the greatest place ever. Have you R. S. V. P.ed?

You might be asking, “How do I R. S. V.  P.?” Usually on those earthly invitations, there are instructions on how to R. S. V. P. This R. S. V. P. has instructions as well. We must hear what God has said and decide if we believe it. If we do believe, are we willing to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord? Finally we are called to give our life to him in the watery grave of baptism and arise to take up our cross daily to follow Him. Have you R. S. V. P.ed?