Let us read from 2 Corinthians 11:2,3 “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth. He was zealous in encouraging the brothers there to take heed that they are engaged to Christ and he also warned them of the craftiness of Satan to deceive them to move away from a simple and pure devotion to Christ. He does not condemn them but speaks with a godly jealousy.
In Mathew 25 we read the parable of the 10 virgins. We all know what happened to the 5 wise virgins and to the 5 foolish ones. We understand the depth of the foolishness at the time when the bridegroom comes. The foolish virgins also had a desire to meet the bridegroom, but they fell asleep without being ready. They lost that pure devotion that Paul talks about in the verse we first read. This is a warning for us too. We know there are sins in our life that we are defeated by, yet we think we can tackle those later. But the bridegroom will come when we least expect it. Let us be careful not have the experience that these foolish virgins had. From the day that Jesus called us, we have to be alert and set right those things that God convicts us of and not keep it for later.
In Genesis 24 we read of the instance when Abraham sent Eliezer to find a bride for Isaac. In the new covenant perspective, we have the Holy Spirit. Eliezer found Rebekah and she got permission from her father and brothers to go to Isaac. In the journey from her house to Isaac’s house, Eliezer would have spoken to Rebekah about Isaac and his qualities. If on the way, if Rebekah was attracted by different things, Eliezer would have reminded her of her destination. He would have said, “This is not my master’s son for whom you have been chosen.” This is the same ministry of the Holy Spirit for us today. Rebekah had a heart to respond to the guidance of Eliezer. She blindly followed in the way that Eliezer lead her. She hadn’t seen the place where Isaac was or Isaac himself, but in faith she followed the way of Eliezer. In our journey too, we have our Eliezer – the Holy Spirit – to prepare us for our bridegroom. We can also be foolish and be attracted by many other things along this journey, but let us pay heed to the words of the Holy Spirit. Let us not be drowsy and forget what we need to do like the 5 foolish virgins.
We all started our Christian journey with a pure devotion. The 5 foolish virgins also started out well. But we will have various attractions, trials and problems along the way. But we have to carefully pay heed to the warnings of the Holy Spirit. The day of the Lord is very near. Let us make sure that as the day approaches we are not led away from the simple and pure devotion to Christ. The Holy Spirit will warn us not to turn right or left but to stay on the track to meet Jesus. Are we attracted to other things that are taking away our love to Christ? Is our devotion to Christ increasing or decreasing each day? Let us take the warning that Paul gave to the Corinthians as a warning for us also. A simple and pure devotion is the way for us to get away from the various attractions in the world. Let us be like the 5 wise virgins who have enough stock of oil to meet the bridegroom. We all started our journey well, but as we have come along some way in this journey, are we getting closer to him or have we deviated somewhere? Have we left our will and things that are hindering our nearness to Christ?
In Hebrews 12:16, 17 we read, “that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” Jesus Christ has redeemed us, and even if we fall we have a chance to repent and come back to the track. But we cannot take it for granted and think that the blood of Christ will always be available. The blood of Christ is precious. We have to leave this world; like Rebekah left all that was hers, and run this race. We read in this verse about Esau who sold his birthright for a single meal. He lost his track. Jesus is waiting for us at the end of our journey and His desire for us is to be like Him. Let us not be foolish like Esau and be attracted by desires of the flesh. When he realized his mistake and tried to get his birthright back, he was rejected. He was led astray and was foolish like the 5 foolish virgins. God seeks us to have a pure devotion and give Jesus the first place in our hearts. As we hear God’s word, the Holy Spirit will guide us along this journey till we meet our bridegroom.
