The Parable of the Ten Virgins

This is one of Christ's warnings regarding those followers who aren't watchful for his coming. The five foolish friends of the bride groom were careless and foolish. They figured they wouldn't need oil in their lamps. I suspect that they assumed the bride groom would come when it was light. Perhaps they also were careless about being ready.

Whatever  the case, this parable warns us to be alert and not fall into an attitude of complacency. As we read in Matthew 24:44 (BBE), "Be ready then; for at a time which you have no thought of the Son of man will come."

But why are some believers blase in regard to Christ's return? One reason is the anaesthetic of money and possessions. Paul warned in 1 Timothy 6:17 (BBE) regarding rich believers, "Give orders to those who have money and goods in this life, not to be lifted up in their minds, or to put their hope in the uncertain chances of wealth, but in God who gives us in full measure all things for our use;"

Jesus also told a parable about a farmer whose enemy spread tare seeds, a weed which looks like wheat, into his field. The farmer didn't want the servants to uproot those plants lest the good ones would get pulled up too. In Matthew 13:40 (BBE), Christ explained how these look-alike churchgoers would suffer on Judgement Day.  "As then the evil plants are got together and burned with fire, so will it be in the end of the world."

Jesus likewise told a parable about four sorts of ground on which the seeds of the gospel were sown. He explained the kinds of people those soils represented. Mark 4:16   and 17 describe those who are believers only for a while. "And in the same way, these are they who are planted on the stones, who, when the word has come to their ears, straight away take it with joy; And they have no root in themselves, but go on for a time; then, when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, they quickly become full of doubts."

Then there are those who are stunted in their spiritual growth. Mark 4:18 and 19 (BBE) says, "And others are those planted among the thorns; these are they who have given ear to the word, And the cares of this life, and the deceits of wealth, and the desire for other things coming in, put a stop to the growth of the word, and it gives no fruit."

This is why Bible study is crucial. Without the knowledge of the scriptures, believers become stunted spiritually or distracted from growing in the Lord.

It's why I want to write my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I feel deeply grieved when people attend only Sunday services and just read devotionals. Believers miss so much when they neglect studying the Bible.

On Saturday, I'll post about a lovely rock song and the wonderful world God promised his faithful followers.