In the Parable of the Ten Virgins Jesus tells us what the kingdom will be likened to upon His return. Please take the time to read it:

Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  [2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  [3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  [5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  [6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  [7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  [9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  [10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  [11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

   How could one read this simple lesson from Jesus and not be made think about their being "ready" when He comes?

   I was talking with my mother recently and somehow our conversation turned to those who have come to the assembly of the church for years and have yet to obey the gospel themselves. Do you know of one such person? If so then you know that they are not ready for the return of Christ. Perhaps as you read this you are that person. If so then we, being members of Christ's church, implore you to address the issue today and enter the kingdom by obedience to the Gospel.

   We are always ready to so implore the lost to come into the Kingdom of the Lord. The invitation is the Lord's. Rev. 22:17,

   "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." 

   As we talked both she and I could think of different individuals we'd known that put off being baptized and yet were faithful in their attendance and were often found in company with Christians when they assembled together and elsewhere as well.

   She told of one whom she'd recently been told of my another. A good man who was married to a member of the church elsewhere. There were many fine things that were being said about this man. He attended the assemblies of the church faithfully with his dear wife. Perhaps he saw in her example of not missing the assembly that this was something that pleased God. And it certainly does. And it is something that God requires of us.

   In all likelihood this good man has read the very invitation quoted above several times. Being in the assemblies as he has I'm certain that he has heard instruction on the necessity of not forsaking the assembling together. His "custom" of assembling is certainly not the custom the Hebrew writer denounces as he so clearly states God's requirement for His own.

   But that's not all. This good man gave to the Lord on the Lord's Day. He's know for doing such. And not only did he do this, but he also helped to work around the building and on things that needed to be done pitching right in with others.

   Now I know what you might be thinking and you may be right. Yes, there probably are some "members"  where he is that he has outshined  in so doing. And that's not to say that he's doing this for that purpose, i.e. to outdo others for I doubt seriously that is the case with this man. 

   Can I give you scriptures that show the necessity of attendance for worship which he certain was not lacking in? Yes, one is Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

   Are there scriptures for giving to God as one has been prospered? Surely, and one such is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7,

   "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  [7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

   Perhaps this good man gives as cheerfully as any "member" does on the first day of the week. In all likelihood he has even read this very passage on giving several times.  No doubt being as regular in attendance as he is he's heard lessons on giving taken from this great chapter in the Bible. Speaking of the Bible he probably believes it to be the Word that God has given to man. And the Word by which man will be judged.

   Well, I think I've said a lot of good things here about him. I've certainly said all that was said to me.

   Oh wait! There's yet another thing and that is how well he's thought of by others. In other words he's not just there but other's think well of him as a good moral person. He's not just there at the assemblies, giving, helping to do work, etc. but he is truly a good person.

   What's missing in this man's life? (You may write it right here if you desire.)

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   I don't usually do that but I left some blank spaces above. If anything they should make us think about what is missing in this good man's life. Perhaps they've made you think about your life right now.

   After my mother and I finished talking and I hung up the phone I  thought about what we'd briefly discussed. It made me think about a dear friend, one close to our family, who delayed his obedience to the Gospel for many years. He farmed right across from my grandfather. As a child I can remember seeing him so often that he seemed like one of  "us." He always came to worship with his dear wife. She was a Christian for many years and he was not. Then, one day, right out of the blue so to speak and at a time when his wife was not even expecting it to happen he stepped forward and rushed down the isle and said that he wanted to be baptized. Just as the Lord said, Mark 16:16

   "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

   Like other verses and lessons from the word of God he'd heard the steps to obedience many times. But he'd waited. He did many things that other Christians did but as he waited he was not yet saved.

   By that time I was a grown man. So many years had gone by. They must have seemed like an eternity to his dear wife. But at last should the Lord come or death come first he was "ready"just as the Lord said.  She would worry no longer about his soul being lost.

   This man was like "family" to my family and we went back a long way.  I grew up with his son. I do know that it would have been better for his children had he become a christian much sooner.

    Friend, if you're that one be wise today. Don't delay. We who are Christians wonder at times why one puts off doing something so very important. I know that one's mate above all waits with deep anticipation. To hear, believe, and obey is the simple message of the Bible. Will you come? Will you obey today?