Eye salve is what is needed!

(Matthew 25:5) “As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.”

We all need sleep; so long as when we snooze we carry with us the oil needed for our lanterns to light the way for our Saviours return. The Armenian will say this parable helps prove that we can lose our salvation as all where virgins and the Hyper Calvinist will say that the foolish virgins where never truly saved. I have settled on this understanding; whatever the scriptures tells us to pay attention to, that is exactly what we all must do, heed the warning. We must take any form of rebuke seriously, especially as God’s children. If we become arrogant and believe we are “untouchable” because we have Christ’s Spirit and chose to ignore the warnings from scripture we will be subjected to the consequence of it. This is proved time and time again throughout the bible and the pattern is clear to see, remember the children of Israel and their journey through the wilderness; “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1) -And- “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.” (Hebrews 2:3)

    

A child, who loves and trusts his father, will always look to please him. They will always look to follow his instruction! We have many enemies that will keep us from obedience, our “bodies of death”, our carnal natures the greatest of enemies and then of course we “war not against flesh and blood”, in other words our battle is not against man but spiritual forces. Things that are not seen have a tremendous influence on how life plays out.

If a father instructs his child not to put their finger in a plug socket when it is switched on and the youngster ignores the warning what will happen? The probability of there being consequences is extremely high, and in a severe case death would be probable. Every effort by the father will be put in place to limit this actually happening. A true child will learn to heed the warning, even if they make many mistakes along the way. God will see to it and all because of Christ’s achievements on Calvary praise His name!

Scripture is given so that we do not make the mistakes of those who chose to ignore its warnings. It is primarily an instruction manual for the household of God. Take this rebuke from the Lord as an example; "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (Revelation 3:1-5)

“Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.” (Proverbs 19:15) -- Of late I have had much free time on my hands and the concern I have is that if idle, this “body of death” if given half the chance will run to darkness instead of light and we are all the same, do not be fooled, we all originate from the same substance, sin our initial foundation. It is also clear from scripture that we have a new beginning and if we walk in the Spirit the flesh that once had its hold on us will no longer wield its original power. But do not be hoodwinked, it is the Spirit that gives us the victory and only Christ Spirit will suffice! Anything outside of this will lead us down a slippery slope. We must constantly look to our God and King for sustenance throughout the day; we have been commanded to provide for our households, we must work in order to feed our families, but if we chose to use this as a license to set aside time that does not involve walking in the Spirit we have been deceived! Every minute of every day must be captivated by our God, probably easier said than done, but this is nevertheless what we must fight for. God has given us the throne room of grace to accomplish it and we must learn to approach it with boldness (confidence). Whatever looks to rob us of this instruction must be recognized and then sufficiently dealt with through the Spirit .

I heard someone once say that their grandfather would at times be sitting with his family and while watching a movie would suddenly get up and leave the room. Why one may ask? Had he possibly learnt this lesson, I would suggest that is exactly what he had learnt. Anything that takes our eyes off Christ must be dealt with accordingly. When he was asked why he did not watch the end of the film, his reply went something like this; I was taken from the thoughts of my God and King! A little extreme some may suggest, is it!

I still have so much dying to do, help me Father God to learn to present my body as a living sacrifice, as I know you shall, Amen!

Let us remember that the devil goes around like a roaring lion seeking out those who are not walking in the Spirit; “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25): - for when we walk in the Spirit and we resist him he must flee from us; “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)   

Signing off

Tyrone