Foolish Faith (Part III of III)
Matthew 25:10-13 (Jesus speaking); “But while the foolish virgins were on their way to buy oil the bridegroom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready (the wise virgins) went in with him to the wedding feast. And the door was shut. Later the others (the foolish virgins) also came. “Sir! Sir!” they said. “Open the door for us!” But he replied, “I tell you the truth I do not know you.” Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (of the end of the age). This parable is a trumpet call and war cry for men and women to get serious spiritually. “Go and buy for yourselves,” the parable said. This is the only proper advice, but do it now! The foolish bridesmaids waited, waited, waited, till the sun declined and the twilight came, and in that a wretched state of spiritual unpreparedness, the midnight cry overtook them. Then it was too late; may it not be so for you and me.
Are we prepared for death with oil in our lamps? In contrast, are we comfortable and content, not really caring for others, selfish in so many ways, our lamps (or faith) empty and useless?
1 Corinthians 13:2b,... if I have faith (a lamp) that can move mountains, but have not love (oil; righteousness), I am nothing.
There is a story of a young boy standing next to a scale to weigh oneself, when a large woman gets on the scale. Unknown to the young boy or woman, the scale is broken. The needle on the scale spins around and around and suddenly stops on 85 pounds. The young boy looks at the scale, then looks at the large woman. He again looks at the scale and then this large woman. Somewhat confused, he looks up at the woman and says, “Lady, you must be hollow inside.”
Revelation 3:15-16 (Jesus speaking), “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm (because you are hollow inside) — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Spiritually speaking, are you “neither cold nor hot” but “ lukewarm” (or spiritually hollow inside), with no oil (or righteousness) in your lamp because the faith you profess you have never possessed?
Do you just go through the motions of faith and church, never letting Jesus be Lord over your life, never letting the Holy Spirit fill you and lead you?
Deep inside your soul, where you live and think, are you empty, spiritually bankrupt?
The foolish bridesmaids waited until it was too late and “the door was shut,” never to open to them again. For each of us there is still time to secure oil for our lamps by letting Jesus be Lord of our lives, everyday of our lives, evidenced by our love for His church and our love for others.