The oil for sale week 35, 2013

What was the oil? It was to be purchased, not given out as a gift. Salvation is not paid for by you and I: it is a gift. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God Eph 2:8(ESV). So it strengthens the supposition all the people described in the parable of 10 virgins had been born again before. In the scripture what do Christians buy?  Jesus told a church, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see” Rev 3:18(KJV).

You have received salvation as a gift beloved. Are you now working out your salvation with fear and trembling as you present your body a living sacrifice, present yourself and all your resources, giftings and opportunities as instruments of righteousness as you labour in God’s harvest field? The foundation has already been laid; will you purchase the gold to build on it? Lk 14:28-30(ESV)  "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. He will first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether he has enough money to finish it, won't he? Otherwise, if he lays a foundation and can't finish the building, everyone who watches will begin to ridicule him and say, 'This person started a building but couldn't finish it.' vs:33  In the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions." The wise virgins paid for their oil; we must pay the price also.

Do you sometimes think that your intercessor’s readiness will be accounted for you? That though you refuse to pay the price as he prays for you it will compensate for your waywardness? Be warned. Each virgin must purchase her own oil. Every one of us must pay the price to be ready! So deny yourself and daily take up the cross.

 Did I say there is a main point? Yet many were raised.  The issues of believing unto the end, delay, endurance, counting the cost and paying the price of daily self denial and cross bearing, the individual nature of the race all are highlighted. So is there a main point? Well Jesus told 2 parables after His statements in Matt24:4-44; the first warns against a change in attitude when the master delays; this second one against deferring the readiness until the announcement of His arrival. Procrastination. This is the point we must take home. In all the parables about His return all those who refused to get ready from the outset had regrets.

How should we interpret “while they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed”. Matt 25:10(ISV)? Some people contend that those believers who are not ready at His coming will not go to hell; that they simply will be saved as by fire. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire 1Cor 3:15(ESV). You know my advice? Do not wait to find out. Be wise.