Pay the price

And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out”. But the wise answered, saying, “No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves”. Matthew 25.8-9

The wise virgins told the foolish virgins to go buy their own oil. When the Bible speaks of the oil, it refers to the Holy Spirit. You may ask, “But, how is it possible to buy the Holy Spirit?”

Jesus is referring to a person having to pay the price, which means denying their will, obeying the Word of God, being faithful, sacrificing and keeping constant watch.

All those who truly want the presence of God should be aware that there is a price to pay. The wise virgins, certainly, paid the price (sacrificed) with the time they waited for the bridegroom. Surely, they prepared themselves by investing in their spiritual lives through prayer, fasts, consecration and surrender, not allowing the light of the Spirit to burn out.

On the other hand, there are those who aren’t willing to pay that price. They live according to their fleshly desires, refuse to stop living in sin, are in the church but far from God, have the lamp, which is faith, but don’t have the oil, which is the Holy Spirit.

Their only concern is to resolve their problems, not that it is wrong to fight for miracles, but we need to understand that God’s presence in our lives is more important than any material blessing.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” But he answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you”. Matthew 25.10-12

My friends, either we pay the price for our Salvation now, or it will be too late, and we are the ones who decide, not the Bridegroom.

All the virgins had the same opportunity, but it was too late for the foolish virgins because they were distracted, careless.

Do not let this happen to you, be alert, be willing to pay the price, because the reward is definitely worth it!

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time; because the days are evil. Ephesians 5.15-16