I Stand Boldly for Christ (Part 2)
In continuing with I stand boldly for Christ, the message is to give the readers an understanding about people who didn’t stand boldly for Christ, those who didn’t make themselves ready to meet Christ. They were not prepared because they chose not to do what God’s purpose was for their lives.
Below are the next two types of Christians:
This group chose not to keep oil in their vessels –
Therefore, their lamps were not burning. Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming (Matthew 25:1-13). Who is Jesus talking about in this parable (a short story conveying a truth)? Born-again believers are the only ones who are brides to the Bridegroom (Jesus). Their oil was gone, and the others couldn’t share their oil; because each of us has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is not shared.
No light? What did Jesus tell us to do? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
This one is about carnal Christians who act like unsaved people. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
Jesus is talking to His disciples which includes us. When He said enter, it means “you enter” There are two choices we can make; either walk the straight and narrow (sold out, no compromising), or the wide road and do what the world does.
My brothers and sisters, the choice is yours. I choose to do like Joshua. And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we [I] will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Next: Proof of the Two Judgments
Standing boldly for Christ!
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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