Matthew
25:1-13: (NIV)
The
Parable of the Ten Virgins
25 “At
that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps
and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish
and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not
take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars
along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming,
and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At
midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then
all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones
said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “‘No,’
they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to
those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But
while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The
virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door
was shut.
11 “Later
the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But
he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore
keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Happy Easter
Friday! I always get excited around this time of year since I realized the
significance of this celebration!
I am truly touched by the LORD’s grace each
and every time the reality of the resurrection speaks in my life!
Today’s Kingdom
Courtship teaching is focused on the Parable of the 10 virgins. I have decided
to adopt a step-by-step approach here as well. Let's see how many boxes you can tick!
You may think Tolu what does this parable have to do with
waiting? Well-let’s read and find out!
Set Apart:
Notice firstly that they were all virgins
meaning they were all set apart-so my
primary question is- are you set apart? How does this reflect in your daily
choices, your relationships, your habits? Do you respond to people from a
place of pain or one of purpose? Do your words encourage others? Do your steps
lead others towards a godly living through your interactions? This is important
because first we must all be set apart in
Christ (Hebrews 10:10)
Appearance:
Notice the next
point is that the kingdom of heaven will be like
ten virgins-what is your appearance saying about you? As women especially,
is your appearance based on your personality or is it based on your
physicality? Are you more concerned about outer adornments than becoming a
gentle and quiet spirit in Christ? (I Peter 3:4) Are you like the ten virgins meaning are you clearly a representation in
appearance and more importantly in character of Christ?
Does your
dressing speak of modesty and show your personality as led by the Spirit? This
is so important in the place of waiting-we
must become alike to the virgins-we must become representatives of the kingdom
in our appearance and more importantly in our attitude.
Actions:
Notice that the
ten virgins all took their lamps and went
to meet the bridegroom which is Christ. You may say-what does this have to
do with waiting? Well, that’s the point-are
you ready with your lamp?! Remember the Word says your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path? (Psalm
119:105). Meaning is the Word of God
in you? (Psalm 119:11). Is it alive and active in your spirit? This is an
important principle because this will
lead you to your bridegroom-your husband.
All the virgins had their lamps before they went out to meet the bridegroom.
This means first you will be hidden and when you take your lamp-the Word-it will lead you out to meet
your bridegroom-your husband which firstly is Christ, and secondly is your mate
on this Earth.
Reputation:
This is where
these women deviate-and I want you to understand this study specifically from
this point! Five of the virgins were foolish but five were wise. Meaning
although all the virgins had their lamps not
all of them knew how to use it because clearly the foolish ones took the lamps
but with no oil!
Let me say
something about this quickly: the oil is the Holy Spirit.
There is no point holding on to the Word and failing to understand how to apply
it daily in your life-that comes from the anointing-which is of the Spirit. (1
John 2:27). Remember the LORD told His disciples to wait for the Spirit? (Luke 24:49).
Because without
Him you cannot represent the kingdom
properly.
The Spirit is so important for a number
of reasons but in this context-it is because He is the one that will reveal you
to your spouse and your spouse to you.
And you have to
invite Him in! Notice the wise ones took oil. So I need to ask you: have you taken Him on your journey with you?
Or are you just banking on the fact that you claim to be a Christian because
you can recite the Word-because my dear, that
is religion not relationship.
Appointment:
You need to
understand something important-there is
an hour that has been set where you will meet your spouse. I did a study on
this called Divine Appointment.
And the thing is, if it is in God, you
have to wait and be ready!
Notice the Word
says the bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and
fell asleep. Let’s be spiritual here: firstly, the bridegroom took longer than they expected. Don’t equate
your desire for your spouse to God’s timing. God has a timing that has been set
that cannot be moved by human hands because it is in His will.
But the
bridegroom arrived at midnight-meaning there was a time set and exactly on that
hour, that second, that day-he arrived.
Preparation:
And this is when
the fruit of the Spirit will begin to speak through the preparation He has
imparted in your spirit from the oil. (Galatians
5:22-23). And this would be obvious to those around you-because they would
ask-give me some of your oil-in other words, help me understand how to dress better, help me understand more how to
control my temper, how to develop a spirit of cleanliness, etc what side do
you fall on that balance? You need to understand the oil cannot be shared-the Spirit works through us all differently
but this preparation will be necessary for you to be able to step into
marriage.
This is why the
wise virgins said the oil may not be enough and directed them to go and get
some for themselves.
Cost:
The anointing will cost you! The virgins told them to go and buy some. Preparation will cost
you-are you really ready to be a husband/wife? How does your financial plan
look like? Do you know how to cook/clean? Do you know how to take care of
yourself let alone a family? Are you led by your emotions or commitment? Are
you diligent? Are you disciplined? Are you ready to let go of destructive
relationships? Do you pray? How is your spiritual radar? Are you ready to build
Christian relationships? How do you feel about courtship? This is all the cost of the anointing and much more depending on your
own particular personality! And you have to be ready to sacrifice to receive it
before you can step into that blessing of marriage!
Opportunity:
Because the cost
could turn out to be missing the
blessing-have you been stubborn about letting that relationship go that God has
not blessed?
Then you will miss your
bridegroom. Have you failed to pay heed to the direction of the Spirit
concerning a job offer, a course, an investment? Then you will miss your
bridegroom-everything is important!
This is why
while they were on their way to buy the oil the bridegroom arrived-this means
that when they finally decided to yield to the requirements, it was too late.
Those that were
ready went in-to the wedding banquet! And
the door was shut! Don’t miss the appointment-start making ready under the
leadership of the Spirit.
(Romans 8:14).
Recognition:
The danger is
your bridegroom will not be able to recognize you without the oil! The LORD
could not recognize these virgins. Some
of you have concentrated so much on your physicality and neglected your
spirituality!
But your spouse responds to
spiritual recognition not physical attraction! And this is a recognition that
comes from the Spirit.
So get your
priorities in order!
This is why the
final Word here is to keep watch-in
other words, keep growing spiritually and this will translate into your
physical and emotional and mental state so that when he/she shows up-you’re
ready!
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Q: So how are you preparing for marriage? Outline what steps you feel convicted about-and ask God to show you how to deal with this area.
Tip: When you ask for His help in prayer, consistently and repeatedly-you will gradually see changes.
Until next time!
God Bless,
Tolu.