On the Preparation of the Prudent Christian

Matthew 25:1-13:
25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps [1] and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose 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, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

I think it’s quite tempting, particularly for the modern Christian, to fall into the trap of complacency in relation to God. Often I find myself battling the same legalism and self-righteousness which Christ denounced so many times throughout his ministry. Perhaps I have a certain penchant for discipline and order, but I believe the issue goes deeper than that. We must not only learn, but also come to accept, the fact that our salvation is from God and not ourselves. Such a realization produces in man a constant readiness, indeed an eagerness, to serve the Lord daily, removing the sense of ritual and mundane servitude that Jesus so vehemently opposed. In the aforementioned parable, the two sets of virgins aptly characterize these respective attitudes. While many purporters of the Christian faith and doctrine fail to “tend their lamps” – that is, cultivate a relationship with God and others through the Holy Spirit – true believers in God and Christ give constant attention to their walk. If we are to be effective in ministry, this entails the daily practice of dependence on God. While “practicing dependence” may well sound like an oxymoron, the two terms are not at all mutually exclusive in this context. Dependence on God is the result of an active opposition to the flesh and its desire to control you. Letting go of your desires, hopes, and dreams and dying to yourself involves a very real commitment to disciplining your body and mind. Only then can we say with assurance that we will meet our blessed bridegroom for the long-awaited wedding feast.

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