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There is a proverb in our language that says “If a child does not heed to the parents’ advice his foot will be broken”. I find this true as it applies to us as believers. When God gives us instructions in His Word and we don’t follow that, we eventually end up getting lost! What I am about to share is a true picture of what is happening in our world today. I would rather warn you that do not be fooled by men of intellect who have gone out there saying there is no God. Here in Kenya, an atheist was being interviewed in one of our local Tv channels. When he was asked why he believes there is no God, he said that if there was God then the world would be a perfect place to live in. But instead he sees a world where there are diseases and sicknesses, people dying, others living in poverty. He asked, “what good God would allow people suffer while He had the power to control that?” As I continued watching him, in his own words, when asked what bad experience he’s ever had in his life, he said, ”Sometimes back when I drove my car, I almost hit an oncoming traffic but I shouted help me God!” Well, this man I knew he was fooling Kenyans that there is no God while his conscience was so clear that there is God. Otherwise He wouldn’t have called on God’s Name for help.
Now, in Psalms 5:5 the Bible says, “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” Verse 1 reads like this “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.” Our Father is a prayer hearing God. Do not be fooled that God cannot answer your prayers. He has always answered the prayers of His righteous saints. Such He has always been, andHe is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The mostencouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea inprayer, is, to look upon Him as our King and our God. Here, we see Davidpraying to a sin hating God. Sin is folly, and sinners are thegreatest of all fools; fools of their own making. Wicked peoplehate God. They say there is no God. We must learn the importance of truthand sincerity, in all the affairs of life. Liars and murderers resemble the devil, and are his children, therefore it may wellbe expected that God should abhor them. These were thecharacters of David's enemies; and such as these are still theenemies of Christ and His people. It is a wakeup call that the sinners get to know that there is a God who is waiting to see them come into repentance that their souls will be saved.
Look again in Psalm 14:1-2, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. This is a true description of the depravity of human nature, and the deplorable corruption of a great part of mankind. The sinner here described is an atheist, one that says there is no God or ruler of the world; he says this in his heart. He cannot satisfy himself that there is none, but wishes there were none, and pleases himself that it is possible there may be none; he is willing to think there is none. This sinner is a fool; he is simple and unwise, and this is evidence of it: he is wicked and profane. The word of God is a discerner of these thoughts. No man will say, There is no God, till he is so hardened in sin, that it is become his interest that there should be none to call him to an account. The disease of sin has infected the whole race of mankind. They are all gone aside, there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Whatever good is in any of the children of men, or is done by them, it is not of themselves, it is God's work in them. They are gone aside from the right way of their duty, the way that leads to eternal life, and are turned into the paths of the destroyer.
Let us not be fooled by the corruption of our nature, and see what need we have of the grace of God. Let us take heed to God’s Word that we must be born again. And we must not rest in anything short of union with Christ and a new creation to holiness by His Spirit. God has always warned us of evil and danger on our way if we continue to sin, while we think ourselves very wise, good and safe. Don’t be fooled! We must be willing to lay aside our sins and seek God.
In Matthew 7:24-27, the Bible says, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it”....The parable above teaches us to hear and do the sayings of our Lord Jesus. When we do exactly as the Lord desires of us, we are called wise. I know some things may seem hard to flesh and blood, but they must be done if we want our relationship with our Lord to be solid in Him. Jesus Has already laid up a foundation for us who believe, and everything besides Christ is sand. Some build their hopes upon worldly prosperity; others upon an outward profession of religion. Upon these they venture; but they are all sand, too weak to withstand life’s storms. In our walk with the Lord, we must realize that storms will come to try every man's work. When God takes away the soul, where is the hope of the foolish man? The house fell in the storm, when the builder had most need of it, and expected it would be a shelter to him. It fell when it was too late to build another. It is my prayer that the Lord makes us wise builders for eternity.
Let’s also look at another parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-10 “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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.”
The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ's coming. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honor Him, also to be waiting for His coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. I realize there are so many believers who have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren. Notice here, they all slumbered and slept. But one thing was definite, the bridegroom must come. Though there were some delays, he eventually showed up. And it is so with our Lord Jesus. Though Christ tarries past our time, He will not tarry past the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake.
Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays. When they heard these words, Go ye out to meet Him, it was a call to those who were prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet Him, will awaken. Even those best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamps when going out. Those that take up short of true grace will certainly find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may light a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace, have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work is undone, and the poor sinner is undone forever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it. Those and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's coming to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared. The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is too late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far in expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alarm the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduct shows that his lamp is going out. Let’s watch therefore and attend to the business of our souls. Finally, let’s not be fooled or be foolish concerning our heart’s state. Let’s ask ourselves, do we have enough oil to last long like the five wise virgins? Again I say, don’t be fooled. Be ready for our King will come when we least expect it!
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