This passage seems to say...
Illustration
Object:
This passage seems to say that there is a time value in our faith. In other words, we must always be prepared. We never know when our time is coming. We read that in many scriptures throughout the year. That should get through to us.
Do we count on God to forgive us even if we are not prepared? What if we put off everything we want to do for the Lord for a more convenient time, and then we have a fatal auto accident or are diagnosed with cancer? Then we don't have any time. It tells God that he is not important enough for us to make him a priority. We don't like to hear that. We count on God to help us quickly when we need him, but we want him to understand and forgive even if we have not put him first. Don't count on it. No! We are not saved by good works, and there is nothing we can do to make up for our sins.
The price is very high, but Jesus has paid it. All he expects from us is to be ready by putting him first on our priority list. After that we can take a nap (like the good virgins) or do what we want to do to fill the rest of our time. All we have to do then is keep our ears pealed for the sound of his coming.
Even though the foolish ones came out early, expecting the groom's arrival, they were not prepared. God does not give timetables. The only thing that can give us peace is to be prepared with all that the Lord asks us to have. We might all be expecting his coming, but are we ready? Read your Bibles and listen to the sermons and lectures in your church and talk about them when you go home with your family to make sure that you are all ready for him.
Do we count on God to forgive us even if we are not prepared? What if we put off everything we want to do for the Lord for a more convenient time, and then we have a fatal auto accident or are diagnosed with cancer? Then we don't have any time. It tells God that he is not important enough for us to make him a priority. We don't like to hear that. We count on God to help us quickly when we need him, but we want him to understand and forgive even if we have not put him first. Don't count on it. No! We are not saved by good works, and there is nothing we can do to make up for our sins.
The price is very high, but Jesus has paid it. All he expects from us is to be ready by putting him first on our priority list. After that we can take a nap (like the good virgins) or do what we want to do to fill the rest of our time. All we have to do then is keep our ears pealed for the sound of his coming.
Even though the foolish ones came out early, expecting the groom's arrival, they were not prepared. God does not give timetables. The only thing that can give us peace is to be prepared with all that the Lord asks us to have. We might all be expecting his coming, but are we ready? Read your Bibles and listen to the sermons and lectures in your church and talk about them when you go home with your family to make sure that you are all ready for him.
