What is the mindset that leads to this lack of preparedness? Its a very simple thing: they were foolish because they didn't think they needed more oil. They thought they had enough love in their heart. That was their mistake.
They thought, "Oh, I've loved enough." "I've sacrificed enough." They had decided how much they would suffer for Christ. How much they would give to their neighbor in need. ...
They judged their love sufficient, and of course they were wrong. And so when the Lord came, they weren't ready for Him.
We all fall prey to this error. We judge our love sufficient. And the Lord warns us: You could very well be wrong.
So don't ever assume that you have enough love in your life, that you've sacrificed enough. That you've imitated Christ sufficiently. Seek to do it to excess so that you always have a surplus supply of "oil." And you never have to worry that you'll run out....
Each of us ultimately, individually stands before our Lord on judgement day. And what a terrifying thing it would be to hear these words from His lips: "Amen I say to you, I do not know you."
Wis 6:12-16; Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 1 Thes 4:13-18; Mt 25:1-13
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