Earnest preparation to meet Christ
Earnest preparation to meet Christ
Matthew 25:1-10.
The second coming of Christ is not a new message or doctrine. Virtually all Christian assemblies teach it and somewhat believe it as a future prophecy. However, not all congregations extol the necessary preparations and lifestyle that qualify to see Christ at His coming. There are sacrosanct prerequisites to be raptured with Christ, that is why we must ensure that we learn, pray for grace, and imbibe these attributes to be deemed ready for our Master- Matthew 25:10 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.
There are notable points from this text about the parable of the ten virgins. First, they were all virgins. This is laudable and the basic qualification for our enrolment into God’s program of eternal life. Our chastity from the world system endears us to the One who paid the ultimate price for our redemption- 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Secondly, they had lamps and a measure of oil- Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. This typifies the needed grace for the journey of faith. It’s absolutely important that we possess salvation through Calvary but it doesn’t end there. “There’s a race I must run, there’s a victory to be won. Give me grace every hour to be true” says the hymn. We need God’s grace to “oil our grind” as we labor and strive for righteousness.
But then, the Lord gave a distinguishing verdict which divided the group into two- Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Only the wise virgins demonstrated acceptable readiness to meet the bridegroom by going the extra mile of possessing more oil than was given. A verse in the scripture that gives an allusion to this phenomenon is Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
There must be an insatiable desire in us to press deeper into Christ, possess more grace to love Him, and go the extra mile. There’s a need for more!
1. More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff’ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.
2. More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.
3. More purity give me,
More strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy—
More, Savior, like thee.
