Oil In The Vessel # 1

 Oil In The Vessel # 1

Recently a brother in the Lord wrote calling our attention to the comparisons and contrasts between the wise and foolish virgins of Matthew 25. The substance of his remarks was as follows.

They have seven things in common.

First, all the virgins were in "the kingdom of heaven" - by which we understand, the sphere of Christian profession.

Second, they were all of them "virgins" - not five virgins and five harlots - by which we understand, they all claimed to belong unto Christ.

Third, they all "went forth to meet the Bridegroom" - they were one in purpose, having a single end in view.

Fourth, they all had "lamps," the same sort of lamps.

Fifth, they all "slumbered and slept."

Sixth, they all heard the cry "Behold, the Bridegroom comes."

Seventh, they all "arose and trimmed their lamps."

There are six points of difference between them.

First, five of them were "wise" and five of them were "foolish."

Second, the wise "took oil in their vessels with their lamps" - but the foolish ones did not do so.

Third, at the crucial moment the foolish virgins had to acknowledge "our lamps are (slowly but surely) gone out."

Fourth, the foolish virgins "went to buy" oil, the wise ones had no need to do so.

Fifth, the wise were shut in with the Bridegroom - but the foolish were shut out.

Sixth, the foolish virgins were disowned by the Lord.

Commenting upon the above our friend pointed out that, "There is a certain class today who differe not from the children of God as to their testimony - its purity, its orthodoxy, its sincerity. There are not Spiritists, Russellites, or the daughters of Mother of Harlots - but "virgins." Doctrinally they are pure. They are pictured as going forth to meet the, not one to desert and another to thee secret chambers (Matthew 24:26), seeking a false Christ. The Object of their service was the same Person which the wise virgins were occupied with.

The vital point in their "foolishness" was not that they slumbered and slept but that they had no oil in their vessels. Their was oil in their lamps - their testimony or doctrine - but none in their vessels or souls.

The above has deeply impressed the editor once more with the great importance of making sure individually whether there be oil in my vessel - the "vessel" is the soul, the "oil" is Divine grace in it. Whatever may be the precise signification of behold the Bridegroom comes - whether it refers to the hour of death, the premillennial return of Christ, or the Day of Judgment - one thing is clear - it points to thecrucial testing time.

As our friend further points out - Balaam had oil in his lamp, as also had Judas when Christ sent him forth with the other Apostles to preach (Matthew 10:5-7) - yet their hearts were destitute of the saving grace of God! What a terrible discovery for the foolish virgins to make, "our lamps are gone out" - a discovery made too late to do them any good!

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)

Contentment # 2

 Contentment # 2

"Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). Negatively, it delivers from worry and fretfulness, from avarice and selfishness. Positively, it leaves us free to enjoy what God has given us. What a contrast is found in the word which follows, "But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many pains" (1 Timothy 6:9, 10). May the Lord in His grace deliver us from the spirit of this world, and make us to be "content" with such things as we have."

Contentment, then, is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul's enjoyment of that peace which passes all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God does all things well, and is, even now, making all things work together for my ultimate good. This experience has to be "learned" by proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). 

Contentment is possible only as we cultivate and maintain that attitude of accepting everything which enters our lives, as coming from the hand of Him who is too wise to err, and too loving to cause one of His children a needless tear.

Let our final word be this: real contentment is only possible by being much in the presence of the Lord Jesus. This comes out clearly in the verses which follow our opening text: "I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content - whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:12, 13). It is only by cultivating intimacy with that One who was never discontent, that we shall be delivered from the sin of complaining. It is only by daily fellowship with Him who ever delighted in the Father's will, that we shall learn the secret of contentment. May both writer and reader so behold in the mirror of the Word, the glory of the Lord Jesus, that we shall be "changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18).

~A. W. Pink~

Submission

 Submission

Will any, or will I, pretend to teach the Most High knowledge, seeing He is excellent in all His workings, and perfect in all His ways? Then, since I cannot direct Him, why am I not submissive to His disposal? Can I predict events, or foresee futurities? No! How then can I promise myself serenity from a cloudless sky? or fear storms from an obscured heaven? when, as to the first, the gathering meteors may suspend an unexpected shadow before the sun; or, as to the second, the gathered clouds may scatter, and let the welcome beams refresh the weary world. So, Lord, as from present appearances, future contingencies cannot be discerned - it is my duty, and shall be my study, to be WHOLLY, FULLY, and FOREVER, at Your disposal, to whom all Your works, all my purposes, and all my wanderings, are known from the beginning!

O! how the Christian should glory in God's choosing for him the lot of his inheritance, and be content with that condition which Heaven accounts best for him, though not the grandest or greatest; nor the richest or happiest; nor that state he most desires, I am not my own - for I am bought with a price, and dearly paid for too! Would it not be too daring for me to instruct God how to decorate the heavens, how to set the sun, station the moon, place poles, plant the stars, and guide the wandering planets? Now, I am as much his by right (yes, in the ties of love,) and as much at His disposal, as any of these His other creatures; and if I cannot complain of His conduct with these, why quarrel at His providence toward me?

Another thing which ought to encourage to submission, is, that God's way is not only equitable in itself, but profitable for His people, for the latter end of the righteous is peace;

~James Meikle~

Contentment

Contentment

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Philippians 4:11).

Disappointment! Was there ever a time when there was so much discontent and restlessness in the world as there is today? We very much doubt it. Despite our boasted progress, the vast increase of wealth, the time and money expended daily in pleasure - discontent is everywhere! No class is exempt. Everything is in a state of flux, and almost everybody is disatisfied. Many even among God's own people are affected with the evil spirit of this age.

Contentment! Is such a thing realizable, or is it nothing more than a beautiful ideal, a mere dream of the poet? Is it attainable on earth, or is it restricted to the inhabitants of heaven? If feasible here and now, may it be retained, or are a few brief moments or hours of contentment the most that we may expect in this life? Such questions as these find answer, an answer at least, in the words of the apostle Paul: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

The force of the apostle's statement will be better appreciated if his condition and circumstances at the time he made it, are kept in mind. When the apostle wrote the words, he was not luxuriating in a special suite in the Emperor's palace, nor was he being entertained in some exceptional Christian household, the members of which were marked by unusual piety. Instead, he was "in chains"; "a prisoner", as he says in another Epistle. And yet, notwithstanding, he declared he was content!

Now, there is a vast difference between precept and practice, between the ideal and the realization. But in the case of the apostle Paul contentment was an actual experience, and one that must have been continuous, for he says, "in whatever state I am." How then did Paul enter into this experience, and of what did the experience consist? The reply to the first question is to be found in the word, "I have learned...to be content." The apostle did not say, "I have received the baptism of the Spirit, and therefore contentment is mine." Nor did he attribute this blessing to his perfect "consecration." Equally plain is it that it was not the outcome of natural disposition or temperament. It is something he had learned, in the school of Christian experience. It should be noted, too, that this statement is found in an Epistle which the apostle wrote near the close of his earthly career!

From what has been pointed out it should be apparent that the contentment which Paul enjoyed was not the result of congenial and comfortable surroundings. And this at once dissipates a vulgar conception. Most people suppose that contentment is impossible unless one can have gratified the desires of the carnal heart. A prison is the last place to which they would go if they were seeking a contented man. This much, then, is clear: contentment comes from within not without; it must be sought from God, not in creature comforts.

But let us endeavor to go a little deeper. What is contentment? It is the being satisfied with the sovereign dispensations of God's providence. It is the opposite of murmuring, which is the spirit of rebellion - the clay saying to the Potter, "Why have you made me thus?" Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5).

One of the fatal hindrances to contentment is covetousness, which is a canker eating into and destroying present satisfaction. It was not, therefore, without good reason, that our Lord gave the solemn commandment to His followers - "Take heed, and beware of covetousness." (Luke 12:15). Few things are more insidious. Often it poses under the fair name of "thrift," or the wise safeguarding of the future - present economy so as to lay up for a "rainy day." The Scripture says, "covetousness is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5) - the affections of the heart being set upon material things rather than upon God. The language of a covetous heart is that of the horseleech's daughter, "Give, Give!" The covetous man is always desirous of more, whether he has little or much. How vastly different the words of the apostle - "If we have food and clothing we will be content with these" (1  Timothy 6:8). 

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)