Jesus gave a parable concerning the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 25, where he compared it to 10 virgins waiting for their bridegroom to come and get them. Five were wise and had oil, whereas the other 5 were foolish and had no oil. We know that oil is often used as a picture of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we could say that 5 were genuinely saved, whereas the other 5 had the outward appearance but nothing on the inside. The saddest part of all of this however might be found in Matthew 25:5, which says, "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."
All of them fell asleep! Not just the 5 foolish, but all of them, even the wise. Now, couldn't we agree that the 5 wise today (the true church and believers) are asleep and oblivious to the fact that Jesus is coming! How do we know this? The Southern Baptist Convention, of which I am a part, recorded the lowest number of baptisms last year since the 1980's. At a time when evangelism ought to be our #1 priority, it is our least priority. We are more consumed with political posturing and debating over the sovereignty of God with Hyper-Calvinists to go out and witness, even though that's what we say we believe in. If the Gospel is a whosoever will let him come Gospel, AND IT IS!!! Then let's share it! Let's wake up, for our time is short. Christ is coming, and we want to take others with us. Let us work His works until He comes! God Bless you!
1 comment:
As I was reading this a verse popped in my head
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. (Isa 5:14)
If we could only understand how many who are going to hell, and we failed to reach them for the Kingdom!
It is high time we get off of our "Blessed assurance" and get to the work that we are all called out to!
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(1Co 9:22-24)
Let us all run the race as one that we may obtain!
Amen!
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