There Are Two Classes Among Christ's Followers

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G, White

There Are Two Classes Among Christ's Followers

Today's Text: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Matthew 25:1, 2

The Message:      There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the Saviour's life and earnestly seek to correct their defects and conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain, practical truths that expose their errors. Even in her best estate the church was not composed wholly of the true, pure, and sincere. Our Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be received into the church; yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty in character, and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example, that they might have an opportunity to see and correct their errors.      Among the twelve apostles was a traitor. Judas was accepted, not because of his defects of character, but notwithstanding them. He was connected with the disciples that through the instruction and example of Christ he might learn what constitutes Christian character, and thus be led to see his errors, to repent, and, by the aid of divine grace, to purify his soul "in obeying the truth."      But Judas did not walk in the light so graciously permitted to shine upon him. By indulgence in sin he invited the temptations of Satan. His evil traits of character became predominant. He yielded his mind to the control of the powers of darkness, he became angry when his faults were reproved, and thus he was led to commit the fearful crime of betraying his Master. In like manner do all who cherish evil under a profession of godliness hate those who disturb their peace by condemning their course of sin. When a favorable opportunity is presented, they will, like Judas, betray those who for their good have sought to reprove them.      The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while they were secretly cherishing iniquity. Ananias and Sapphira acted the part of deceivers, pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God, when they were covetously withholding a portion for themselves. The Spirit of truth revealed to the apostles the real character of these pretenders, and the judgments of God forever rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity. This signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a terror to hypocrites and evil-doers. They could not long remain in connection with those who were, in habit and disposition, constant representatives of Christ; and as trials and persecution came upon His [Christ's] followers, those only who were willing to forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become His disciples. Thus, as long as persecution continued, the church remained comparatively pure. But as it ceased, converts were added who were less sincere and devoted, and the way was opened for Satan to obtain a foothold.-The Spirit of Prophecy 4:44, 45.

Commentary: My friend, as in ages past, there are two groups of people in the remnant church today.  Those who have a profession of faith, and those who's faith is manifested in their works.  In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins is depicted the difference between these two classes.  The wise took oil in their lamps while the foolish did not.  Oil represents the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ the righteous.  In these last days Satan has infiltrated the church and has led the majority to believe that God is a trinity; a three-in-one God where the Holy Spirit is a being unto itself.  By believing thus, the church has accepted the wine of Babylon. The church by adopting the doctrine of the trinity, has forsaken the Spirit of Christ and as such do not have oil in their lamps.  Then when strife and persecution arises in the last days, their lamps go out, for they do not have the oil of the Spirit of Christ in them.  During a time of relative peace and prosperity, the church has accepted into its membership those who are not truly converted.  These agents of Satan have brought the wine of Babylon into the church and it has been corrupted by it.  The Lord saw this would happen and warned us in the book of Jude.  "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 4). My friend, there are two groups of people in the church today.  To deny it is to deny the words of Christ.  In these last days it is not easy to discern the true from the false, for the false have clothed themselves in righteous acts, like Ananias and Saphira.  But when persecution comes to the church, it will be quickly seen who are the true and who are the false.  Christ needs a pure people to bring the last message of hope to a dark and dying world.  The three angels message combined with the Spirit of Christ, will go to the world with power and many will receive the message and come out of the false worship systems of Babylon. The three angels message that will shake the world is not centered upon the day of worship, but upon the One true God.  This message will shake the world and separate the precious wheat from the tares, but the message must be given by the wise virgins, those whos lamps are filled with the oil of the Spirit of Christ. May you fill your life with the Spirit of Christ today. God bless,

Video of the Week 3 of 6 - Sinful Flesh with Dustin Butler - SIN-posium Pioneer Health and Missions presented a series of six videos on the subject of sin and salvation to help inform and encourage others to study this very import topic.