PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD
(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
PREPARE TO
MEET YOUR GOD
“The
kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to
meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise”… (Matthew
25:1-13)
Introduction: In the words of Jay Horsley, “the need to prepare to
meet God is clearly recognized by all who understand what will happen when we meet”.
At the instance of this, he notes that, “there will be a thorough judgment of
all sinners based on their sins”. (Revelation 20:12), pointing out that,
“secular education is not a preparation to meet the Lord, since the world by
learning cannot know God, (1 Corinthians 1:21). As a
follow-up, P.G Matthew opines that, “the evidence of the preparation of those
who wish to meet God favourably hinges on the fact that, “when God saves
sinners, those who are saved will love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and
strength, and will do good works, demonstrating they are truly Christians”. He
also indicates that, “from the parable of the ten virgins, we could learn how
to prepare ourselves to meet God”. (Matthew 25:1-13). In view of the forgoing,
please notice that;
YOU NEED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD The foundation of Christian preparation for meeting
with the Lord hereafter, begins with one’s sins being blotted out, as one
repents, (Acts 3:19). This happens when one acknowledges one’s helplessness and
inability to save one’s self, and accordingly, surrenders to Jesus for
salvation, (Acts 4: 12). In fact, this ushers in the type of relationship which
the parable of the ten virgins seeks to communicate. In the parable, Jesus uses
the intimacy in marriage to picture the type of oneness and steadfastness He
desires to exist between Him and the members of the Christian community- the
church. In this connection, the writer
affirms that, the Christian union with Christ is divinely designed to reflect
an ideal marriage, which is devoid of any form of unfaithfulness. However, the parable
holds-out that five of the virgins were foolish, and inadequately prepared, and
so, could not strike a relationship with the bridegroom, (verse 3:10).
Without mincing
words, the foolish virgins represented the non-committed Christians who do not
adhere to the tenants of the Christian faith, though they appear to be waiting
for the Lord. Is that your category?
YOU NEED TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE FOR
THE LORD The parable as well shows that five of the virgins
were wise and resolute in the attainment of their goal(s), as they were ready
for eventualities in the pursuit of their set objective(s) which symbolizes the
Christian faithfuls who are prepared for the return of the Lord, and would not
compromise their faith or allow anything that would dissociate them “from the
grace of God, which teaches us to deny all forms of ungodliness and worldly
passions, as we wait for the Blessed Hope – the glorious appearing of our Great
God and Saviour, Jesus Christ”,… (Titus 2:11-14). By way of interpretation, the
key points that demonstrates the love of God in readiness to meet Him boils
down to all-round chastity, which opens-up no room for careless living, compromise
or infidelity. This summarizes the attitude of the five wise virgins, (verse
7-10).
YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE DOOR WILL BE
SHUT
AGAINST SINNERS The part of the parable which expresses that, “at midnight,
the cry rang out: Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! Then, all the virgins
woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, give us
some of your oil: our lamps are going out. No, they replied, “there may not be
enough for us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for
yourselves. 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”…, figuratively points to the dilemma of those who are serious
in Christian race. Such a people, for sure, will never be among the great
multitude who would be dressed-up in white robes before the throne, and in
front of the Lamb of God, after the sufferings of this time, who the Bible says
would never hunger or thirst again, (Revelation 7: 9-16).Then, imagine what
happens to those who like the foolish virgins would be shut out of the gates of
heaven. Your guess is a good as mine! But, note that…’ the cowardly, the
unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice
magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – will have their place in the fiery lake
of burning sulfur. This is the second death’, (Revelation 21:8). WHERE WILL
YOU SPEND ETERNITY?
No comments:
Post a Comment