While we can do nothing on our own, and GRACE and MERCY ARE GIFTS of THE LORD, we are yet required to prepare for THE KINGDOM, for it IS at hand, since we know not the day of our departure, or HIS COMING, and as ONE with HIM, there is a great SERVICE to be done for many in this realm, in this time. We are co-partners, we are SERVANTS, we are workers of righteousness FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of those who might be brought into HIM!!!
MANY people believe it is all automatic; there IS a shred of TRUTH in this, yet, the TRUE Christian understands that constant attention to the soul, and existing IN HIS WILL IS part, and parcel to the 'new' being, for HOLY ARE HIS people, even if it is not complete in this time, there is a deliberate adherence to HOLINESS, and all which is right, just, and good! We are DIFFERENT in our allegiance TO HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, and HIS KINGDOM, because we SEE that before, we were far removed due to deception, oppression, and falsehoods of this world! We are CALLED to BE as REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST JESUS, to become CHRIST-like, and this we CANNOT do in theory only, NO!, it is in thought, action, and reaction, as the transformation POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SHINES through us! We are vessels, instruments, and ARE SERVANTS OF the works of THE LORD, THAT the darkness is, bit by bit, seared through HIS LIGHT, HIS LOVE, and the HOPE which comes ONLY OF HIM!!!
While HE IS WORKING IN us, we are busy working FOR HIM! It is an hour by hour, day by day existence ruled BY TRUTH, guided BY GRACE, BY MERCY, and ALL which is of HIM, and HIS LOVE, FOR the sake of others, and HIS GLORY! HIS WILL BECOMES as the pulse of our heart; it becomes one with our nature, our very being!!!
And, MUCH of our being prepared, and REMAINING IN HIM IS for our protection, for the enemy of this time NEVER rests, or relents, and in fact works overtime in those who SEE THE TRUTH, and thereby align!!!
1+++“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2+++“Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
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.’
7+++“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
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.
See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God.
Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, and the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry past the due time.
The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays.
Some wanted oil to supply their lamps when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainly find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may light a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death of the righteous.
But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace, have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work is undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it.
Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's coming to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared. The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is too late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far in expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alarm the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduct shows that his lamp is going out.
Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
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