Daily Devotions

Matt 25:1-13 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. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Yesterday we looked at how these ones were similar, today I want to look at how they were different. There is really only one difference between the wise and foolish in this passage but it is a huge one. The foolish had no oil for their lamps. (Verse 3) Note that the oil did not run out, it was not taken from them, they took no oil, they had none. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and the foolish had none. These ones appeared to be the same as the wise, looked the same, lived the same, did everything the same, but they were not. What they lacked cost them eternity. Too many today play at being a Christian, they go to church, know the language, and in many cases talk the talk and walk the walk as they say. But they have not the Spirit of God, they have never been truly born again. With the new birth comes new life and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, with the new birth comes the power from the Holy Spirit within to live a new life for Christ. It is more than going through the motions which many are doing today, it is more than saying you are spiritual or you are saved. When a person has the Spirit of God within He changes them from within. Examine your life today and see if you are a pretender as the foolish were in this passage. Being a pretender may give you a good life and a good reputation, but it will never give you spiritual life.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 13th, 2012 at 5:36 am and is filed under Daily Devotions. You can skip to the end and leave a response.