RELIGION
ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH!
Matt
25:1-10
25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out
to meet him.
7
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.
9
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went
in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
A
Parable is a simple story told to illustrate a moral truth. An analogy is a
likeness in one or more ways between things otherwise unlike. (Merriam-Webster)
Parables and analogies are problematic because they hint at the problem without
thoroughly explaining it. In the parable of the ten virgins, five were wise and
five were foolish. All ten are presented as being the same except for one
important detail. Five had brought oil for their lamps and five did
not.
The
lamps represent religion and though they be ornate and beautiful in their
form they are useless as guides without the oil of the Holy Spirit. Religion
may be carefully attended to which is illustrated by the fact that all ten
“trimmed their lamps,” but there was no power in half of them. When “tried by
fire” half of the lamps failed without oil.
There
is a danger
of mistaking religious formalities for true faith. There is a danger of
mistaking human emotion for true faith. I’m afraid that some of our modern
worship methodology promotes the possibility of a counterfeit religion. Like
the Pharisees of old, we wear the robes and carefully follow the minutia of
rules and regulations but have no heart. We stand singing with hands raised to
heaven swaying to the music but there is no oil in our lamps. When all is said
and done the oil is essential.
The
lamp alone
does not point out the stumbling places along the way. It does not reveal the
blemishes that need attention. Only when the lamp of religion is lit with the
oil can we see clearly. To put it plainly, religion alone does nothing to
transform the life and guide the way. Many are stumbling in the darkness while
carrying beautiful lamps unlit.
Ezek 33:30-32
30 Also, thou son of man, the children
of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of
the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I
pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
31 And they come unto thee as the people
cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but
they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their
heart goeth after their covetousness.
32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very
lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an
instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
Dear
Lord, may the oil of thy Holy Spirit be strong within us and upon us today that
we might have light. AMEN
