Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
This passage of scripture outlines for us the experiences of two sets of Christians, who are waiting expectantly for the return of Jesus in the clouds of heaven. In the parable the wise virgins are represented as having extra oil, and this symbolism must first be understood clearly, so that the rest of the passage may have a direct impact on our Christian experience. The Bible teaches us that the word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, and the scriptures also tell us that oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It follows logically then, that a combination of the word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential to our Christian experience, for one cannot exist without the other in our lives.
This sacred truth pertaining to the necessity of the scriptures and The Holy Spirit in the lives of all Christians is referred to many times in the Bible, for the Holy Spirit uses the word of God as a purifying agent in the cleansing work of salvation, and without the Bible, no active reference points, and no absolute truths can be established in our minds, to guide our feet in the paths of righteousness. Let's read:
Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
It is evident therefore that the word of God containing His law and statutes, play an integral role in the conversion process, and must of necessity be subscribed to, in order that the genuine work of salvation may begin and continue without interruption. When certain modern day televangelists teach that the law of God has been abolished, or that it was only for the Jews, they essentially take away the tools of the Holy Spirit, and the subsequent work of salvation in our hearts becomes superficial and emotionally charged in nature. It is worthy of note that all ten virgins were sleeping as they waited for the Bridegroom, the only difference being that the five wise ones had extra oil in their lamps, meaning that they had the right blend of Spirit and Word, a combination which must be achieved by the grace of God, in order for the work of salvation to continue, even when we are asleep.
In our day we hear much talk about relativism in many Christian circles, in which the truths of God's word are made subjective to the individual, instead of being permitted to impact our lives directly in an objective manner. As a result we have several instances of tailor-made Christianity appearing everywhere, in which its subscribes do what they think is right, instead of what the Bible says is right, and this form of religion has indeed become very popular with the masses, for it claims Jesus as Lord, while we continue to live in sin. This brand of Christianity should be avoided like the plague if we are to be found amongst the wise virgins, for Christ was manifested to save us from our sins, not in our sins. Let's read:
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Let us therefore not settle for a superficial form of godliness, but let us rather submit ourselves daily to Christ, so that He can work within us to will and to do of His good pleasure. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reveals our true condition as a body of believers, and thus calls on us to submit ourselves to God, so that the necessary changes can take place without delay. Let's read:
Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!