Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
It would be good for the reader to read the entire second chapter of Ephesians to get full impact of what I am trying to say here, but I will leave that up to you.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
It would be good for the reader to read the entire second chapter of Ephesians to get full impact of what I am trying to say here, but I will leave that up to you.
It astounds me how many professing Christians are wrapped up in politics either actively campaigning for a certain candidate or just hustling others to vote for their favorite or talking down the other side. This is not about politics though I will say that it doesn't matter one iota who becomes our next president because they all will be doing what they are told by those who are pulling the strings behind that curtain. There seems to a kind of insanity set in that to me is similar to the lemmings in the arctic that at a certain season all run down into the water and drown themselves. No Christian should be surprised at any of the stuff that is going on for it has been foretold for two thousand years in the book of Revelations and other scriptures that there would be an end of the age when total madness would overcome all mankind and evil would be called good and good would be called evil. We are there. Governments would be torn down until chaos controlled the planet then all mankind would cry out for someone to bring order out of the chaos and at that time the Antichrist would be revealed and set up a one world government. That time is upon us and there will be no delaying it. The timing of God is perfect and if you think some politician is going to or even could change that then I have that proverbial bridge to sell you.
My point is that for the Christian our focus should be much different. Example 1:
Hebrews 10:24-25
New King James Version (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
These days our gathering together pretty much entails one carefully choreographed hour per week on Sunday morning during which most people are relegated to the position of observer. little opportunity exists of real interaction other than handshaking and exchanging a few pleasantries. I know of only one church having a Sunday evening service and that is attended by fewer than a dozen individuals. I am not blaming the churches in particular because they are simply giving the people what they want or what they respond to. The real failure of the church leadership in in not informing the people of the time they are in and the dangers that lay literally at the door.
Jesus did much of His teaching through story telling or parables that were stories that made a point and usually started out "The kingdom of God is like" and then went on to tell the parable and the hearer or reader is supposed to understand that this is what it is like if you are a Christian. I wonder how many understand this one:
Matthew 25
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.
Most who read this will say "Oh I understand that one" but their actions tell a different story. Either they don't really understand it, don't believe it or worse, don't care. This is a parable of exclusion and it's tragic. It tells of a group of believers waiting for the return of Christ only to discover too late that 50% of them were disqualified. In reality the number could even be higher. I will attempt to explain.
When Jesus says "Watch" He does not mean that you should have your eyes on the eastern sky all the time to see if Jesus is appearing. It has much more to do with watching how you conduct your daily affairs and constantly seeking the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is truly pleasing to God and reveals that you have the life of Jesus in you. This is not to try to determine "what would Jesus do" type of thinking and action but having such an ongoing relationship with Him that you know what He wants you to do. There is a vast difference because the former is trying to be a copycat which will never work because Jesus always did things that baffled His observers and the latter is simply obeying what Jesus directs you to do.
The Holy Spirit is the agent that God sent to earth to be our constant companion, guide and helper but few understand that He is a Person and His life is in you and you must learn to hear Him and yield to Him. He will not shout and will not force and the less that you obey Him the less that He will speak until the time comes that He is completely silent. This is the case of the 5 foolish virgins, they were real born again Christians who neglected the most vital relationship in their life and the sad result is that they were actually shut out of the kingdom. This should terrify everyone of us enough that we would spend enough time seeking that relationship that satisfies like nothing else and will develop into a love relationship where all fear evaporates. What begins with fear will indeed turn into passionate love and devotion because that is what God wants and will develop in you if you will seek Him with all your heart. We hear a lot about worship and most tend to think that it is when we go to Church and sing and listen to some prayers but in truth worship is the passionate focus on the Person of Jesus Christ in all you do and the decision to obey at all costs.This will produce in us a presence of the Holy Spirit that could be considered a reserve. The five wise virgins had a reserve which is more than you need at the moment but will certainly come in handy at some point in the near future.
A very important aspect of this parable comes to mind and that is the fact that the 5 wise virgins would not share their oil with the 5 foolish virgins. It is not because they were selfish, no not at all. The simple fact is that what you get in your life through passionate pursuit of the Lord cannot be shared or given away, it is not a thing or substance that is divisible, it is development of character as well as sensitivity between your spirit and the Spirit of God and each person must find it for themselves and pay the price to obtain it.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Most who read this will say "Oh I understand that one" but their actions tell a different story. Either they don't really understand it, don't believe it or worse, don't care. This is a parable of exclusion and it's tragic. It tells of a group of believers waiting for the return of Christ only to discover too late that 50% of them were disqualified. In reality the number could even be higher. I will attempt to explain.
When Jesus says "Watch" He does not mean that you should have your eyes on the eastern sky all the time to see if Jesus is appearing. It has much more to do with watching how you conduct your daily affairs and constantly seeking the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is truly pleasing to God and reveals that you have the life of Jesus in you. This is not to try to determine "what would Jesus do" type of thinking and action but having such an ongoing relationship with Him that you know what He wants you to do. There is a vast difference because the former is trying to be a copycat which will never work because Jesus always did things that baffled His observers and the latter is simply obeying what Jesus directs you to do.
The Holy Spirit is the agent that God sent to earth to be our constant companion, guide and helper but few understand that He is a Person and His life is in you and you must learn to hear Him and yield to Him. He will not shout and will not force and the less that you obey Him the less that He will speak until the time comes that He is completely silent. This is the case of the 5 foolish virgins, they were real born again Christians who neglected the most vital relationship in their life and the sad result is that they were actually shut out of the kingdom. This should terrify everyone of us enough that we would spend enough time seeking that relationship that satisfies like nothing else and will develop into a love relationship where all fear evaporates. What begins with fear will indeed turn into passionate love and devotion because that is what God wants and will develop in you if you will seek Him with all your heart. We hear a lot about worship and most tend to think that it is when we go to Church and sing and listen to some prayers but in truth worship is the passionate focus on the Person of Jesus Christ in all you do and the decision to obey at all costs.This will produce in us a presence of the Holy Spirit that could be considered a reserve. The five wise virgins had a reserve which is more than you need at the moment but will certainly come in handy at some point in the near future.
A very important aspect of this parable comes to mind and that is the fact that the 5 wise virgins would not share their oil with the 5 foolish virgins. It is not because they were selfish, no not at all. The simple fact is that what you get in your life through passionate pursuit of the Lord cannot be shared or given away, it is not a thing or substance that is divisible, it is development of character as well as sensitivity between your spirit and the Spirit of God and each person must find it for themselves and pay the price to obtain it.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Let us all determine to be a vessel of honor. All we need to do is ask that the Lord grant that and then spend time (quality time) seeking to know Him and His Word and He will do it. We cannot do it and that is the very reason that Jesus had to come and be crucified and resurrected that He might return to the Fathers side and send the Holy Spirit to carry on the work. Surrender and obedience, study and prayer are the cornerstones of a victorious Christian life. Let's all go for it. I look forward to meeting you all over there.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
john
email. justjohn@eoni.com or
acts2216@eoni.com
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