Fuel Check
With gas prices averaging between three and half to four dollars, people are trying to get the most out of the fuel in their cars. This is nothing new for Americans; it seems our gas prices fluctuate with every president, but when the prices are high, people try to drive their vehicles until that fuel gauge needle is fully on the E. This practice is a bit dangerous as you run the risk of running out of gas and being stranded on the side of the road. What’s more dangerous is playing this game with the spiritual fuel in your life.
“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” (Acts 10:38)
“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV)
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” (1 John 2:27 ESV)
Before Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, oil was used to anoint people and objects that were set aside for holiness. Oil was also used as fuel for the lamps of the day; in fact, oil provided the fuel for lamps until 1850 when kerosene replaced oil as the fuel. A wick was inserted in the oil, it would soak the oil up, and if the lamp ran out of oil, the light would not shine. Jesus told a parable about the dangers of not having enough spiritual fuel for your life. In this parable, ten bridesmaids are waiting to meet their bridegroom. Five of the bridesmaids are described as foolish because they did not bring enough oil for their lamps; the other five are called wise because they brought extra oil along with them.
“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him! All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’” (Matthew 25:6-9)
When the time came for the groom’s return, the foolish bridesmaids found that they did not have enough fuel to keep their flames lit. They of course asked the other five bridesmaids to give over some of their own oil, which doesn’t seem like an unreasonable request. Many Christians today might think that sharing the oil is what Jesus would do, the right thing to do and yet, Jesus taught that when it comes time for the groom to return, it will be too late to share your spiritual fuel. When we teach a god who only exits in a box of affirming love, then we don’t teach the fullness of God.
“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” (Matthew 25:10-13)
This is at least the second time where Jesus points out that there will be those who reach the door of the Feast of the Lamb and they cry out to the Lord, but they are not saved because the Lord does not know them.
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:21-24)
There are consequences for not obeying. We need to have enough fuel for our lamps, and whether or not you have enough fuel on the last day—that’s on you. When the time comes and your light isn’t burning—there won’t be time to get fuel from others. Be prepared. Keep watch. Don’t be caught with a lack of fuel—don’t be stuck outside of the locked door. Be ready for our Lord’s return.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
