From our opening scripture, Matthew, in simple terms, has placed before us the two major classes of believers: the foolish and the wise. James acknowledged these two classes of believers, or virgins, in the following imperative: "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass [mirror]. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (Jas.1:22-25).

The "foolish virgins" of Jesus' parable in Matthew 25 are the "hearers only" mentioned by James. This group of believers comprises one-half of God's heavenly kingdom, or born-again people, or we could just say, the body of Christ. Please notice that all ten virgins had received the Spirit of God (oil), but when the midnight cry was made, "Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meet him", the foolish are quoted as saying unto the wise, "Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." A more perfect rendering might be, "Our lamps are going out." In the end, they were refused entrance into the Lord's presence.

How did these foolish virgins cheat themselves out of eternal life? By neglecting to put into practice what they learned by looking into the mirror of truth - the Word of God. These believers were interested in the things of God, for the word "beholdeth" implies more than a passing glance. They did more than read a few scriptures occasionally. Doubtless, everyone of these foolish virgins believed what he read in the Bible, and rejoiced in the gospel when it was "preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." Every one of them knew, by the Word of God, the standard of holiness required of them. They beheld their faces in the mirror of God, but they did not diligently seek to correct the defects and errors which were revealed.

The "doer of the word" approaches life differently. He is the "good soil" of Matthew 13. He is the "wise man who built his house upon a rock". Rather than merely rejoice at the preaching of holiness, he understands the absolute need to attain it. In the fear of God, he maintains a supply of oil (the Spirit) that he "may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2Tim.3:17), and that he "may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph.6:11). In short, he is filled with the Spirit daily.

The "doers of the word" are "laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1Tim.6:19). They not only look "into the perfect law of liberty", but also continue therein as a "doer" and not as a "forgetful hearer." They put into practice the truth they see. When, in the presence of the saints, they see a defect in their spiritual life, they do not forget it. Rather, they make the proper corrections, by the grace of God, and thus eliminate the defects.

Now, let us notice from our scripture reading that there was only one difference between the foolish and the wise virgins: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Please note that all ten were invited to the marriage and that the lamps of all ten were, at one time, burning. But, while the bridegroom tarried and all ten slept, the oil of the foolish gave out.

The question before us now, my reader, is not whether we have oil in our lamps but whether we have oil in our vessels with our lamps. There are multiplied thousands of Spirit-baptized believers today who are desperately short of that holy oil. Paul knew, as he said to the saints in Philippi, that his deliverance would come through their prayers "and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (1:19). Again, in Ephesians 5:18, this apostle stresses the need of a reserve supply of oil. Here, he counseled the Ephesian saints to "be filled with the Spirit", though they already had received it (1:13). We are constantly using our oil as we war the warfare of the Spirit, and we must constantly be resupplied. Besides this, many of us are "leaking vessels", with spiritual defects which rob us of our much-needed oil (cp.Heb.2:1). There are more people with the Holy Ghost on their way to hell today than most of us have ever imagined. It is as heartbreaking as it is unnecessary.

Time is, indeed, a great test for every child of God. Thousands upon thousands have started out with God, their lamps burning brightly, but where are they now? As the months and years passed, they were sifted out. Time proved to be a merciless test for them. We can recall many precious souls who were shouting the victory fifteen or twenty years ago, but where are they today? They have left the truth and are utterly backslidden. The first real test caused their lamps to flicker, and then go out completely. They had no oil in reserve. They failed to pass the test that time alone can bring. According to Jesus' parable here, God will make a final test among His people by letting the bridegroom tarry. If the bridegroom had not tarried, then the foolish would not have been manifest.

It was not until the midnight cry was heard that the foolish became much concerned about their oil shortage. "Give us of your oil", they desperately cried to the wise. "Go ye and buy for yourselves", came the reply. My friend, please remember, everyone must buy his own oil, that is, get his own life supplied with the overcoming grace and power of God. Too many at this very moment are depending on others when they need to be filling their own vessels. Time will soon reveal who they are, for no one can long survive the onslaught of sin without this deeper walk. No one will overcome the world just by being with those who have a sufficient amount of oil to take themselves through.

We can, and should, encourage one another, but only God can give the oil. "Go ye and buy for yourselves." This may seem stern, yet it is true. How foolish it is to permit anyone to lean on us, and to use our meager supply of spiritual strength when we know, eventually, they will be unable to stand the oncoming test. There are some who seem to feel flattered when others lean upon them. Ministers, especially, are tempted to have it so, rather than to push their flocks out to find their own spiritual strength. The only way to ensure their future safety and to wean them from the soft cry, "Give us of your oil", is to thrust them out now and let them go and buy for themselves.

May God help all who read this message to buy not only enough "oil for their lamps", but also enough to fill their vessels. Notice, please, that this oil had to be bought. Yet, thank God, not bought with the currency of this world, but with the medium of exchange to which Isaiah referred when he said, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat. Yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." Yes, we have to pay for this spiritual oil. Often it is some costly act of obedience. Sometimes it is the sacrifice of earthly possessions. But whatever the price God demands for His oil, pay it. And the time to do so is now. Remember, while the foolish went to buy more oil, the bridegroom came, and they were left out. They were forever lost.

Reader, do you have the oil in your vessel with your lamp? Don't forget, it was that, and that alone, which brought the separation between the wise and the foolish. It was not a matter of vigilance. They all slumbered and slept, for they all were living in that dark hour of human history, prophesied by Jesus, when "no man can work" (Jn.9:4). The only difference was one of preparation. "The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." All ten virgins were looking for the bridegroom's coming. All ten appeared equally ready for the wedding. Their lamps, too, no doubt resembled one another's, all polished, all bright. But five had no "oil in their vessels with their lamps."

The wise virgins represent the children of God who truly love Him and keep His commandments. They rejoice evermore. They pray without ceasing. They do not grieve the Holy Spirit. They have real joy of salvation and are prepared for the coming of the Author and Finisher of their faith, who to them is more precious than all the world with its dazzling splendor. They have "oil in their vessels with their lamps", so that even if the bridegroom tarries longer than expected, they will still be prepared for his call.

Let's examine more closely now the five wise virgins, and see if we can receive an even greater incentive to be found among them. Any soldier or official in the Roman empire had the authority to force into service anyone in a conquered province. Therefore, without a moment's notice, any Jewish subject of Rome might be called upon by a soldier or an official to become a common burden-bearer. For example, Simon of Cyrene, North Africa, a Hellenistic Jew who was present in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, was compelled to carry the cross on which our Lord was to be crucified. Jesus seems to have referred to this irritating oppression when he said to his disciples, "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Mt.5:41). In other words, if a Roman soldier impressed them to carry his baggage one mile, they were to offer, voluntarily, to carry it a second mile.

The Romans, naturally, were pleased to have their baggage carried a mile; but, when they received a second mile's service, we can assume that they were well pleased. So it is in the kingdom of God. The wise virgins themselves, the ones who please God, are divided into two groups: the one-mile believers and the two-mile believers. The one-mile believers are those wise virgins who willingly keep the commandments of God. The two-mile believers are those who, as John tells us, "keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1Jn.3:22). God is pleased with all His wise virgins, but there are some with whom He is well pleased.

Jesus made it clear that the Father is well pleased when His children go beyond that which is commanded by the Law. Jesus himself went far beyond this. He went further than merely keeping the Law of God. He went the limit - the second mile. On every occasion, he not only kept the Law, but he also did those things which he knew would please the Father. John wrote that if we not only kept the commandments of God, but also did the things pleasing in His sight, "then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him...." (1Jn.3:21-22). This is how Jesus always lived, and this is why he could say, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always" (Jn.11:41-42). More than once did the Father speak from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." May God help us attain to this life in Christ.

Which would you be, my friend? A "one-mile", or a "two-mile" believer? John describes a one-miler in these terms, "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us" (1Jn.3:24). This is the one-mile journey, and even it is wonderful, wouldn't you agree? But a real two-mile believer is hard to find.

Of course, there are many in the congregation today who are not even making the one-mile journey with Jesus. These are the foolish virgins whom we have already described. They knew the Father's will and did it not. They will be lost in the end and will spend eternity in tormenting flames. Only the wise will be saved, and rewards will be given to them, based on how well they pleased the Father with their deeds. May God help us, my dear friends, to be at least a one-mile believer. And at all costs, let us avoid the careless, self-indulgent manner of the foolish virgins (cp.Mt.25:14-30).

A wise man counseled, "Forsake the foolish, and live", and again, "He that walketh with wise men shall be made wise." Let us then seek out those who have sincere hearts for God and follow their faith (Heb.13:7). And let us avoid evil companions who have no heart for God. By this, we show the sincerity of our faith, and open the doors of our hearts to the One who, alone, can fill us with the treasures of hope.