As Christians we have lamps that burn light. To burn you need a vessel, a wick, and oil. We have our vessel that is our body to do the will of God. It is our job as faithful Christians to keep our lamps burning continually. If we have a religious heart, our lamp will burn for a while and then will go out after using the oil we have within our lamps. Having a continual supply of oil keeps us burning and ready for use by Jesus.
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
During biblical times, the friends of the bride (the virgins) would gather along the path the groom (bridegroom) who would travel in retrieving his bride from her family’s house to take her to his home. Jesus speaks about the ten virgins to relay how Christians respond to the calling of the bridegroom (groom).
· Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
Matthew 25:1-2 NASB
Prudent – wise or judicious (using or showing judgment as to action, exercising, or characterized by good or discriminating judgment) in practical affairs; discreet or circumspect, sober, careful in providing for the future. These five are more than just smart, they have a spiritual aspect that is lacking within the five foolish virgins.
· 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.
Matthew 25:3-6 NASB
All the virgins fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom to come for his bride. Just because it took time for the bridegroom to come, all the virgins had to awaken the moment the call came that the bridegroom was coming.
· 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:7 NASB
Notice that all the virgins got up from sleep, trimmed their lamps, and were doing something to get a fire burning. The act of trimming the wick is an external work, but on the inside the foolish virgins were empty of oil.
· 8 The foolish said to the prudent, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9 But the prudent answered, No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves. 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, Lord, lord, open up for us. 12 But he answered, Truly I say to you, I do not know you. 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
Matthew 25:8-13 NASB
By this passage, it is displayed that the foolish virgins were used to not carrying oil with them on a regular basis or they only use the oil to light their way during dark times to find their way. The need for the oil was not a necessity until they were being left behind. These foolish virgins were not diligent. Only those that were diligent had an abundance of oil and were ready to meet the groom at the appropriate time.
Diligence – earnestness in accomplishments (fervent in spirit), striving after something, haste (getting it done), to exert one’s self, to be serious about something, paying attention, to be eager, to make every effort, to exercise yourself.
The prudent (wise) virgins could not give of their own oil, but directed the virgins in need where to get it for themselves. Everyone is accountable for their own light and being prepared to not only meet the bridegroom, but to stay diligent in preparation.
The oil represents the Holy Spirit.
· 6 Then he said to me, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.
Zechariah 6:4 AMP
THE RELIGIOUS HEART
Part of the religious heart is the lack of diligence in maintaining the Holy Spirit in doing things for God. This would make the foolish virgins hypocrites or not diligent by doing things for God (trimming the wicks), but not having the oil or the Holy Spirit as part of their daily regimen. It is imperative that we maintain the Holy Spirit in our lives in everything we do.
· 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:22-23 NASB
We must engage our hearts into God and not in vain repetition of doing spiritual acts (trimming the wick). We must maintain diligence in heart, attitude, and spirit.
Just as a reminder, if you cool off for God you make Jesus want to vomit (Revelation 3:16). Christians should work with love for God and by His guidance/Spirit.
WE MUST ENDURE UNTIL THE END
We must as Christians endure until the end of our race or the rapture. This requires diligence. Listen to what Jesus told the disciples in the chapter before the parable of the ten virgins.
· He who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Matthew 24:13 NASB
Christians are to endure life and troubles by being current with God through prayer, the Bible, and having an active relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Remember that the wise virgins were prudent = as to action, exercising, careful in providing for the future. The wise virgins did not give up, but were ready at all times by being faithful to stay current and equipped. They were diligent in their relationship with the Holy Spirit. We must be diligent soldiers in God’s army and fight to overcome the enemy.
· 11 Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11 NASB
· 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB
We must be diligent in keeping the faith and our relationship with the Holy Spirit to inherit the promises of God. Christians must do everything with the right attitude, right heart, and in a current relationship with the Holy Spirit.
BEING READY
First and foremost, we must have a relationship with Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit residing within us. You have the opportunity right now to connect with God for the first time or reconnect with Him to make your relationship current and active.
· If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
If you have not made Jesus your Lord and Savior today is a great day to begin a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
· Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 ESV
If you are a Christian, but have not been diligent in doing things for God today is the day to talk to God and become diligent for Him. Combat the religious heart and be diligent in not only working for God, but staying current with the Holy Spirit.
· 5 Applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
2 Peter 1:5-9 NASB
May we be diligent in all things for God by keeping our reservoir full of the Holy Spirit.