A religion without the Holy Spirit profits nothing...

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

" The difference was confined to a single point, the lack of oil. The Oil is the

Holy Spirit. A religion without the Holy Spirit, profits nothing. "

 

violet

 

 

 

About the five who took no oil for their lamps...

 

" The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps. "

{Matthew 25:3)

 

This parable has many sides and aspects. It is prophetical. It is also

practical. It suits all ages, but especially the last days. It suits the world,

but especially the church of God. It is searching and sifting. It is also

quickening and comforting.

 

It suits us well in these days of profession, fashionable religion and

religiousness. It is a parable for the church. It comes in to the inner circle

of Christian profession, and sifts it, divides it.

 

There are points of likeness between the two classes:

 

They get the same name; virgins. They wear the same dress; they are on the same

errand; they both have lamps; they both slumber and sleep. They have thus many

features in common.

 

The peril of mere externalism is that which our Lord points out here:

 

This externalism may not always be hypocrisy, but it is imitation. It is not the

flower in its natural color and growth, but painted, artificial. Let us watch

against an artificial life, and an artificial religion. What does it profit now?

What will it profit in the day of wrath? The name, the dress, the lamp, the

outward show, will all go for nothing in that day of universal discovery and

detection.

 

Though in most respects they were all alike, yet there was a difference. It was

within; it was imperceptible from without; it could only be discovered when the

bridegroom came. Up until then all were completely similar. Only then, the

deficiency came out in the foolish. Then was it seen who were wise, and who were

foolish. That

day is the day of certain and unerring detection. It is the day of weighing in

the balances! It is the separation of the false from the true.

 

The difference was confined to a single point, the lack of oil. The oil is the

Holy Spirit. Thus a man may be very like a Christian, and yet not be one. He may

come very near the kingdom, and yet not enter in. He may have all the outward

features of a Christian, and yet be lacking in the main one. He may have the

complete dress of the saint, and yet not be one.

 

He may have a good life, a sound creed, a strict profession. He may be one who

says and does many excellent things. He may be a r to all the religious

societies in the land, a member of all their committees, or a speaker at all

their meetings, and supporter of all their plans. He may profess to be looking

for Christ's coming, and going forth to meet the bridegroom, yet not necessarily

a Christian!

 

He may lack the oil, the Holy Spirit.

 

A religion without the Holy Spirit profits nothing.

 

http://www.gracegems.org/02/oil.htm