Your Spiritual Life: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

Get your oil now! One of the most painful snubs people have to undergo these days is being “unfriended” on Facebook. Suddenly you are no longer welcome in someone’s virtual “house,” and that person’s personal news, comments, and pictures no longer flow through your “feed.” Oh, well. There are other people to be friends with. Can you imagine what a disaster it will be for people on judgment day who hear Jesus’ voice disavowing and unfriending them? Jesus once told a striking story about members of a wedding party who needed to have their oil lamps filled so they could join the nighttime bridal procession. Some of the bridesmaids were too self-centered or distracted to prepare in advance. The procession left without them. “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you!’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:11-13). Jesus’ earnest warning: get your oil now. The oil you need is an attitude of repentance for your many sins, open-hearted listening to God’s Word, and faith in the gospel message of your forgiveness through his blood. Do it now. You don’t know when the Bridegroom will choose to come.