RELIGION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH!

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