For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
And if the righteous are barely saved(delivered or protected), what will become of the godless(irreverent, that is, (by extension) impious or wicked) and wicked(sinful, that is, a sinner)?
...They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity and defilement--for by whatever anyone is made inferior or worse or is overcome, to that [person or thing] he is enslaved.
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through [the full, personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again become entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition is worse [for them] than the first.
For never to have obtained a [full, personal] knowledge of the way of righteousness would have been better for them than, having obtained [such knowledge], to turn back from the holy commandment which was [verbally] delivered to them.
There has befallen them the thing spoken of in the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and, The sow is washed only to wallow again in the mire. [Pro. 26:11] 1Pe 4:17-18 and 2Pe 2:19-22
How can anyone believe the lie that 'believers' remain bound to continue in sin or the ways of the world after receiving a full, personal, knowledge of Jesus Christ; what He went through and did that we might be delivered and free from all selfishness and sin?
Are we to continue to live like sick dogs, eating again that which we have been released of; or be never completely delivered from a selfish nature of pleasing our desires, like the pig who must cover its self with the mud to keep cool?
Jesus Christ already cleaned those who have repented and have an active faith in the gospel! Who is supposed to keep it clean?
We are by His Free Grace! That is the Real Grace, living under or within His Devine Influence; completely separated from the influences of the world! Romans 12:1-2
Those that want to go in with the Bridegroom had better heed the warning, the bad example of the five foolish virgins. Buy all the oil that you can now! Keep the store room well supplied so that you do not run short! ...before you fall asleep and wake up too late; finding yourself in the darkness and out of the oil of the Holy Spirit to give you light, enabling you to go in with the wise virgins to the wedding banquet!
Blessed are all that are wise!
Those that have heard and are doing and obeying what they have heard!
Those that are keeping an abundant oil supply and living in the Light of the Holy Oil!
( Matthew 7:21 and 24; Matthew 25:1 -13)
After thought:
This parable clearly indicates that the oil is a consumable commodity! It is not a get it once, and I've got it forever commodity! Neither is it a type of I've got it and it can't be taken away kind of commodity!
It must be a daily, living, intimate relationship, comparable to the manna (a daily source of life that had to be gathered every day, except the Sabbath, and eaten the day it was gathered, except for the Sabbath). It was the food provided for the children of Israel as they traveled in the desert, after being delivered from the bondage of Egypt (a type of the world)!
It is sad that they were not content with anything that God provided for them and wanted to be like the dog or the pig!
What do we want? The false pleasures and security of bondage to sin and the world, or the provision, providence and care of a Loving Heavenly Father, made possible by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ?
Would you live in the ways of the world and false religions or take up your cross daily, and follow Christ; living his example by the power of His Body and Blood; one with Him? (Luke 9:23,24 John 14:20, 21 and 17:20, 21)
