Some thoughts in my mind now

[littlewoman]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

 

[john832]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

The Law is not done away and yes keeping the Law is not easy. We all stumble and fall short. That is what is so wonderful about grace. God forgives these short comings when we repent and go to Him asking forgiveness. He will never leave you or forsake you. You can always count on His mercy...

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

As far as everyone else doing it...

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 

[littlewoman]

I’m confused sometimes. I don’t know how to balance truth and grace. I find that if I obey certain law, I request others to obey. I’m focus on truth. When I disobey certain law, I never request others to obey. I’m focus on grace. In the Bible, Jesus said if you love God you will obey his commandments (focus on truth). However, Bible also says nobody can obey the law completely that is why we need Jesus’ grace. So after you get his grace (means being forgiven by God), what are you going to do next? Forgive others and then what? Insist on truth right? It is another circle.
I just don’t know how to follow Him. If you are really serious on something (I mean obey some law), you really get troubles. But if you just say to yourself “forget it, don’t be serious on it”, your life is much easier. And it seems that God will forgive your weakness anyway. So why do we still need to insist on truth. It doesn’t make sense anyway. I read Romans too many times, I understand Paul’s meaning literally, but when I really encounter something in life, it is not easy at all. It is one thing to say you understand, it is another to carry it out.
People do everything to accept themselves, to look for happy and easy life even they proclaimed that they would follow Jesus, however, their real life is opposite. They even say, “Look at those ‘truth followers’, they don’t have happiness, only bitterness remains in their life. We will never be like them.” God, I cannot count on people. They really disappointed me.
So I pray to God: please don’t abandon me, please give me rejoice so that I can be strong. I cannot have it by my own like what they demanded me.

 

[GregoryC]

Simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

The law of Christ is love.

 

[littlewoman]

I meant I don't have power to love. Even I prayed to God I still feel weak and no power.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing."

We all fall short, and God knows we will, but that doesn't mean we can just give up

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Paul speaks of running a race to obtain the prize. It is won for us, but we have to finish the race to obtain it

Not that I have become perfect yet; I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upward to receive in Christ Jesus.

 

[guestno2]

[FONT=&quot]Love is an act, not emotion.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I don't think, that you need feel something, love is not about feeling, love is all about doing things.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Just go and do what you see that it needs to be done.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Oh, and you feel weird about it (double-minded) than talk to Jesus. [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Tell Him I don’t know, something like Lord. I’m not feeling anything, I do not really care in my heart about people, but Lord, see? I’m doing this, because of you Lord, because I care about you, please open my eyes and let me see others as You seeing them.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]That’s a start. God usually respond to this quickly. He let you see with His eyes other people.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Also you can get closer to Him and His love by praying for people, start with your family, or ones that you care about. But you must start, don’t wait for feelings… [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]And believe me, afterwards, He give you the joy or peace, or whatever emotion you need to feel, after you show Him, that you want to live by His way, with Him.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]So, let’s lift up our asses and do things.

be blessed
ps: are you saved? are you born again? if you not sure, than thats the priority [/FONT][FONT=&quot]to deal with[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
be blessed
[/FONT]

 

[john832]

[FONT=&quot]Love is an act, not emotion.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I don't think, that you need feel something, love is not about feeling, love is all about doing things.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Just go and do what you see that it needs to be done.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Oh, and you feel weird about it (double-minded) than talk to Jesus. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Tell Him I don’t know, something like Lord. I’m not feeling anything, I do not really care in my heart about people, but Lord, see? I’m doing this, because of you Lord, because I care about you, please open my eyes and let me see others as You seeing them.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]That’s a start. God usually respond to this quickly. He let you see with His eyes other people.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Also you can get closer to Him and His love by praying for people, start with your family, or ones that you care about. But you must start, don’t wait for feelings… [/FONT][FONT=&quot]He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]And believe me, afterwards, He give you the joy or peace, or whatever emotion you need to feel, after you show Him, that you want to live by His way, with Him.[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]So, let’s lift up our asses and do things.

be blessed
ps: are you saved? are you born again? if you not sure, than thats the priority [/FONT][FONT=&quot]to deal with[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
be blessed
[/FONT]

What an excellent post. I have stated this many times. Love is not a "feeling", that is emotion and sometimes lust. Love is action, it is doing.

Real love:

1Jn 5:2 By this we know, that we love the children of the God, when the God we may love and the commandments of him we may keep.
1Jn 5:3 This for is the love of the God, that the commandments of him we may keep; and the commandments of him burdensome not are,

 

[p_rehbein]

QUOTE: "We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love" END QUOTE..........

Jesus said......If you love me, you will keep my commandments........being saved by Grace does not release us from being obedient to Jesus........people who believe that are sorely mistaken in their understanding of scripture.

Why would ANY Christian offer any other Christian a bribe? Why would a Christian entertain the idea of accepting such a bribe? As for accepting them.......yes, we are to hate the sin. not the sinner......HOWEVER, inappropriate/unchristian acts are not to be excused by the Church. They are to be challenged, and the one guilty of such held to account.

There are many things in this OP that are in direct contrast to Scripture and the teachings of Christ.......too many to address.....with any effective commentary..........I strongly suggest you become a member of a Bible Study Group and earnestly read and study the Word of God.

 

[littlewoman]

QUOTE: "We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love" END QUOTE..........

Jesus said......If you love me, you will keep my commandments........being saved by Grace does not release us from being obedient to Jesus........people who believe that are sorely mistaken in their understanding of scripture.

Why would ANY Christian offer any other Christian a bribe? Why would a Christian entertain the idea of accepting such a bribe? As for accepting them.......yes, we are to hate the sin. not the sinner......HOWEVER, inappropriate/unchristian acts are not to be excused by the Church. They are to be challenged, and the one guilty of such held to account.

There are many things in this OP that are in direct contrast to Scripture and the teachings of Christ.......too many to address.....with any effective commentary..........I strongly suggest you become a member of a Bible Study Group and earnestly read and study the Word of God.

I never said one Christian has to accept bribe (which has been offered by another Christian) to show mercy. Alas! Too many misunderstandings here. What I mean is even some Christians did offer bribe for some reason in this world (not in the church) and they don't think it as sin when you told them so, you as a Christian who really disagree with his/her behavior have to still accept the person who committed the sin though his/her sin really really really bothered you. That is why my emotion burst out here.
I was just doing something like what King David did. Write down my struggles and pour out my feelings to God, because I cannot yell out at the person in my life. I know love is action, not a feeling. But I have to confess that my feelings are right, they are from God too. I have to solve my feelings with God first then I have strength to live out His commandments, just like King David. This is why I write down this tread.
Thanks so much for your concern. However, give me some time and recover from God, because I'm a genuine person full of emotions. I'm really not strong as Jesus. Please forgive me for that. Actually I didn't post it for suggestions, I really just want to write it down, this is just my way of release. Thank you for your understanding. God bless you!

 

[p_rehbein]

I never said one Christian has to accept bribe (which has been offered by another Christian) to show mercy. Alas! Too many misunderstandings here. What I mean is even some Christians did offer bribe for some reason in this world (not in the church) and they don't think it as sin when you told them so, you as a Christian who really disagree with his/her behavior have to still accept the person who committed the sin though his/her sin really really really bothered you. That is why my emotion burst out here.
I was just doing something like what King David did. Write down my struggles and pour out my feelings to God, because I cannot yell out at the person in my life. I know love is action, not a feeling. But I have to confess that my feelings are right, they are from God too. I have to solve my feelings with God first then I have strength to live out His commandments, just like King David. This is why I write down this tread.
Thanks so much for your concern. However, give me some time and recover from God, because I'm a genuine person full of emotions. I'm really not strong as Jesus. Please forgive me for that. Actually I didn't post it for suggestions, I really just want to write it down, this is just my way of release. Thank you for your understanding. God bless you!

ok, fair enough........this medium of communication can be difficult at best, and impossible at worst..........will pray for you.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

How about this verse to think about?

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22.17

 

[ji]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

Don't Pray to God to judge anyone.If you feel sober going through many situations,its a positive sign.Give the burdens to God,and don't expect to change suddenly.i wish it was like that.
When i choose not to sin,am put into it.When i want to avoid temptations,i am tempted more.When i want to Pray and feel badly in need of it,i feel tired suddenly or distracted.There is no hope for me...
But thanks to God who has send His Son to Redeem me from the pit where satan drags me in.And little by little,unaware i been released from many shackles and chains already.The thing i look at now are the few big probs i face.
So if there is anything i can do to make things better for me and get Faster Healing and Faster Growth in Christ i need to 'Forgive others' more despite disputes and matters that i never dream to take part in, which makes me look at myself and say"you are pathetic,really pathetic"...
Cross of Christ can triumph over everything and bring Sanity back so i can change or struggle to change for making a stand for Christ and not for the things of world.

 

[ji]

I meant I don't have power to love. Even I prayed to God I still feel weak and no power.

Pray more...Read the Parable of the widow and the ungodly judge that Jesus mentioned.Despite failures,Pray and cry more(when tears are given)..because God is Infinitely Higher and Merciful.
If there is one thing i learned since now, its "STOP SINNING,DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS" despite the sins that rules over me.Above all Learn Humility from God each time i fall.Its not easy,its a tough battle to win over my own pride.God looks at whether we Love him or not,shackles He removes in time.Look at the people who don't feel the burden you feel.
you are far better than them,because you think of God...they don't.That's not judging,that's realization.
Its all about attaining the attitude of continuously giving our burdens to God over the times we fooled ourselves by thinking"i can do it on my own,i don't need to Pray on it"

 

[Elin]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

How did you come to faith?

 

[GregoryC]

I meant I don't have power to love. Even I prayed to God I still feel weak and no power.

The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of love. You as a believer are sealed with that Spirit.
Look to Jesus for all of your needs don't look to yourself. Your love is found in Him as well as all the other lovely graces.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

[littlewoman]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I really appreciate your concern and your posts on here as well as your prayers for me. I'm moved by you all. I have to tell you a good news that your love and prayers have been working on me. Recently my faith experienced a downturn, but thanks God for his faithfulness and mercy, thanks for your true love from Christ. After struggles and prayers, I finally turn back to "in Him". Holy Spirit works on me. Therefore, thank you so much.

In addition, I heard a very important preaching at my local church today. It is the story about ten virgins. It strengthens my faith again. So I’d love to write it down and share with you all.

[h=3]Matthew 25[/h]New English Translation (NET)
[h=3]The Parable of the Ten Virgins[/h]25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.[SUP]2 [/SUP]Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. [SUP]3 [/SUP]When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. [SUP]4 [/SUP]But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. [SUP]5 [/SUP]When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. [SUP]6 [/SUP]But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ [SUP]7 [/SUP]Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. [SUP]8 [/SUP]The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ [SUP]9 [/SUP]‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ [SUP]10 [/SUP]But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ [SUP]12 [/SUP]But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Virgins: Christians who have been cleaned by Christ, like virgins who are waiting for their bridegroom
Their lamps: Christ is our light. We Christians reflect the image and light of Christ through our good behaviors. We are the light of the world.
Oil: Holy Spirit
Wise virgins: Christians who hears the words of Lord and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Foolish virgins: Christians who hears the words of Lord and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Take extra oil with them: being filled with Holy Spirit (It doesn’t mean to get power to cure disease or speak in tongues. The true meaning of being filled with Holy Spirit is that God’s light shine upon us, we are sensitive to our sins and we get power from God to overcome our weakness and we can be the light of the world, because Holy Spirit filled in us. That is why Jesus said in Matthew 11: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” In John 15: You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

With no extra oil took along: Anyone who had believed in Christ must have Holy Spirit in them. However if they don’t pray for “being filled with Holy Spirit”, they must be inactive and dull and no power.

When Holy Spirit comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment……12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you. (John 16)

The wise ones cannot share the oil with the foolish ones, because “being filled with Holy Spirit” is personal issue. You pursue being filled with Holy Spirit. You can only get it by praying to God personally. You spend time and cost (it doesn’t mean money) to get it. It means you spend time in praying and communicating with God and studying Bible and getting together with other Christians. You decide to follow Holy Spirit instead of your own flash when you encounter temptations and tests even the consequence is you have to loss some earthly profit. It is your personal life of growing experience in God. It is your personal treasure. You can share your story with others, but it is still yours not theirs.
The bridegroom was delayed a long time: Christ had already told us he will come to the world for the second time, but it has been more than 2000 years since he told his believers about it. That is what was delayed a long time.

They all became drowsy and fell asleep: they all died from generation to generation. We called Christian’s death as asleep in the Lord.

At midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ [SUP]7 [/SUP]Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
On the day or the hour that nobody knows, Jesus comes back. Then all the Christians dead wake up from the tomb.

The bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. Those wise Christians will go into the paradise with Jesus.

Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ [SUP]12 [/SUP]But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Those foolish Christians will be left outside.

Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.

 

[just-me]

Sometimes I’m really confused as a Christian. I don’t have enough wisdom to understand God’s will in a certain situation and don't have enough power to obey His commands. For instance, about bribe Bible already told us it is not a godly way. (Exodus 23:8“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” ) However, seldom people really obey it, even in Christian community. If you obey it and you told others to obey, you will be considered as unrealistic and legalism because you are focus on doing. Jesus already finished salvation plan for us. We are free now. We don’t need to obey one article of the law after another. No one can obey the whole law of God anyway. If someone did offer a bribe and he/she never thinks it as sin, you still need to accept them, otherwise you are no mercy, grace and love. They will leave church because of your cold. The result is if you obey God’s commandment, you get lot of troubles from this world and the church. The high requests from them actually only Jesus can satisfy, but they demand you to carry it out. They want you to accept them and forgive them and don’t ask them to obey God’s commandment. Those who never obey God’s commandment, they seem to be very happy because they don’t need to shoulder their own cross. They live in an easy and happy way. God, I’m so weak now.

Do you understand my feelings on those crooked issue? My emotions are tormented during the whole process. What am I going to do? I’m just a human, full of limitation and lack of wisdom and power. Why it seems that I need to be like Jesus to obey every God’s will and bear everything. Oh, my! Why it is so hard……to me. I feel so painful now.

On second thought, I told myself focus on eternal life, not current life. Don’t feel unfair. You did what you think right even took a risk to face the possible bad consequence in the future. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Meanwhile, keep silent, don’t judge anyone. Let God judges them.

They hated Jesus for being righteous and candid, and they will hate us also. Particularly those with itching ears.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 (KJV)
[SUP]3 [/SUP]For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[SUP]4 [/SUP]And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Love is to shed light on darkness. Expose the division between God and ourselves and others. That's what Jesus did. It's not easy to say the least

Matthew 5:14-18 (KJV)
[SUP]14 [/SUP]Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Tell the truth of the Word and don't continue to strive with others if they reject it. If they reject you for telling the truth, they are also rejecting God's Word.