How Prepared Are We?

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about ten virgins waiting for their bridegroom to come. Now what are we taking about here? How is it that there are ten women, waiting for one bridegroom?  Doesn't anyone think this is a bit excessive, or even immoral?  However, it's a parable, a story with a lesson tied to it.  This 25th chapter of Matthew is talking about the Kingdom of God, and these ten virgins are waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Of the ten virgins, five were foolish and five were wise, and today you and I are in one of those camps. There are many lamps of religion, the mechanisms by which light or truth is seen, however it's the oil that makes the light work. Since Jesus was addressing His people, the Jews, I often wonder if He was referring to them as the five foolish virgins. Yes, they had the structure of the lamp of religion, but failed to find Him as the oil of the lamp.  

It occurred to me recently, that a person can have all the trappings, the structure of an outward relationship with God, but be like the foolish virgins because they really don't know Him.  Jesus said this in Matthew 7:

21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Many have the structure of the lamp today, they go to church, and say they are Christians, but their hearts have no interest in surrendering to Him as Lord of their lives.  As we watch the world around us shake with earthquakes, and war, we are reminded these are the signs of His soon return.  Are you ready?  David Wilkerson has been preaching a message for 50 years warning it is time to get ready and get right with God. He speaks about a word we rarely hear preached today, "repentance" a turning away from sin, or a lifestyle unbecoming of a follower of Jesus. Being prepared, starts with a heart that repents, because repentance is how we fill our lamps with the oil of His Grace. 

David Wilkerson is not for the faint of heart, but his message is needed in today's church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eruJ4GmAho&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Ask yourself, be honest, am I ready?  Have I surrendered my life to God?  Is my lamp full or empty today? 

Until next time....keep it honest and truthful......K