This was taken during our visit to Portland over the weekend. It was cold and slightly rainy that day which explains why the rest of the torches were snuffed out. It’s hard to keep the fire burning especially in wet, unfavorable conditions.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
ten virgins who took their lamps – On the surface, they had the appearance of being a Christian. Only five were genuine believers.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them – “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts…” – 2 Timothy 3:5-6
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out – “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:7
God leads us to believers who will help us in our faith walk, but His utmost desire is that we develop a personal relationship with Him by digging into the Scriptures ourselves (Matthew 25:9, 1 John 2:27). When we do this, we gain abiding knowledge that leads to maturity. Quoting your favorite modern theologian all the time is like bypassing the Holy Spirit. It takes away your intimacy with the Lord. We won’t know everything, but whenever your faith is being questioned by those who desire to make you doubt your convictions in a society hostile to the things of God, you will be better equipped to stand your ground (1 Peter 3:15).
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Luke 8:18
In the past, I have unfollowed people in WP because my feed had entries purporting to be Christian, but were unbiblical. I make no apologies for doing so. It is a blessing to read insights from believers all over the world. However, we must always take into account that in this vast ocean of thoughts, ‘faux-nies’ (phonies/wolves) abound. It cannot be stressed enough that we are truly living in the last days where we are forewarned in 2 Timothy 3:13,
“Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
As followers of Christ, we are supposed to guard what we allow into our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). Doing so will help us stay lit, instead of being dimmed by the pull of this world to embrace beliefs and deeds contrary to Scripture. Things may not be so great for the whole world right now, but the goal for you Christian, is to keep your light turned on.
“And Jesus answered and said to them:
“Take heed that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 24:4