Have you ever worn anything that was tailor made just for you? Perhaps you've gone to prom, or your wedding and your tuxedo or formal dress had to be altered to fit you. As you look for the tuxedo or dress that you desire....they are all basically the same, made of material and thread...they may have different designs and colors, but basically the same. However, how that dress fits me, will not be how it fits you. Therefore, we must have a Tailor add material, or cut material, hem, and alter the garment just for us.
Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." verse 13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
We all know how Ephesians chapter six breaks down the specific gear in our armour. I have studied it many times. However, a new thought came to me. Have you made sure that your armour is tailor-made for you? Recently I was at a church that had a christian comedian come. The show was great....however, during intermission, the Pastor came on stage and began to give a description and draw a diagram on how we are broken, and only God can fix us....the plan of salvation. He didn't give any scripture reference, but he did give a great picture of salvation. Here is where I have the problem......it is the Holy Spirit that must do the 'wooing' in our hearts. We must be under conviction in order to be born again. We can hear the plan of salvation a 1000 different ways, but if God isn't speaking to our hearts....it does no good. So, after this pastor gave his 'talk'...he then had everyone bow their heads and recite a prayer...then quickly announced for everyone to grab the 'card' left in their seats and if we had just accepted Christ by reciting this prayer, to check the 'yes' box on that card and a member of his staff will contact us and get us a copy of a '7 step' booklet that we will need. Huh??? I know that salvation is an individual thing, but here is the thing....if I recited those words with him....that doesn't give me salvation.......UNLESS, I had already been under conviction and was sincerely praying a prayer. I am saddened to say that so many churches have lost sight of, or gotten ahead of God, if you will, in order to have a bragging 'number' on how many get 'saved' at their special events. How many folks will be cast into Hell on judgement day when God tells them to depart for He never knew them? How many will look at these churches, point to them and say, "Wait a minute, God.....they told me to recite a prayer, and I did.....did that not 'save' me??? It is scary folks...how many people are walking around with false hope that they got 'saved' once when they signed that card at a church that one time?????
Back to my question.....have you, personally, been to the Tailor? You see, it doesn't matter that grandma was a great christian, it doesn't matter that Mama was a prayer warrior, or that grandpa was a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, that Aunt Sue shouted all over the church, or that Uncle Bill sang solos in the church.......that won't help you any! You cannot wear someone else's tux, or prom dress, or wedding gown.....it won't fit you....it has to be tailored just for you. You can't get to Heaven because your parents were saved. You can't get to Heaven because someone had you recite a prayer and sign a card at Vacation Bible School.............you PERSONALLY have to go to the Tailor and get your OWN armour!
John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day.' The first part of salvation is the beginning, the knowledge of knowing, realizing that you are lost. If I have just had a big meal, I'm not hungry, and food won't appeal to me. Same thing with salvation. If the sweet Holy Spirit isn't dealing with my heart, if my soul isn't distressed and in search of help for my lost condition, then all your diagrams, words, or cards will not save me. I cannot get to Heaven on your good deeds. I cannot get to Heaven on your prayers. It is an individual thing, it is personal....it is tailor-made.
I beg you, if you repeated a prayer as a child, or even older, but you see no difference in your life, if that void has never been filled...please check up and make sure you truly have the real thing....make sure that the 'armour' you are wearing is tailor made for you! Eternity is too long to be wrong!
