lynnbusby.com Bread for your hunger. Water for your thirst. Oil for your wounds. Strength for the journey in the desert.

Do you have oil in your lamp? What is in your lamp when you seek to make God your genie?

We all talk about needing to have oil in our lamps. Most, I think who have studied the bible teach the oil represents the Presence of God, the Holy Spirit and or the grace that enables us mortals the ability to live a life of holiness.

But how do we procure the oil? And is it a substance that I can use at my discretion?

Look at the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25. Many lessons can be derived from this parable which is the beauty of a parable, really. What is of interest to me in this instance, is that the wise virgins told the foolish virgins that they could not share their oil. The foolish were told to go buy their own. But it was midnight, there would be no one in the market selling oil. So the window of time in which oil can be procured is just that. A window which will one day close and it will be too late for the foolish.

Peter told Simon in Acts 8 that the gift of the Holy Spirit, or precisely the ability to impart the Holy Spirit was not something that one could buy. Simon was a sorcerer and desired the power to use the Holy Spirit at his own discretion for his own gain. He wanted power without surrender or transformed life. He literally wanted the power of God without God.

Do we in the current church maybe even more so in charismatic churches attempt to procure oil without surrender or transformation of character? Without partnership and intimacy with God? And for our own goals! Not so that I can live the life of holiness as outlined in the bible! No, we want to use God’s Presence and gifts so that we can have what WE deem desirable. Our own comfort; our needs met, success in whatever variation the world describes it as. We want numbers in our churches. We want the popularity of our name or teachings or perhaps power to perform signs and wonders at will. Maybe we want it ALL. We just need the right strategy right??

This is sorcery. This is an attempt to use God as our own personal genie to be strong armed to fulfill our wishes. Again, is the oil a substance at my disposal or a representation of God Himself, a Person?

The crux of the parable comes down to the closed door at the banquet. What does the bridegroom say at the end when they pound on the door to be let in? I NEVER KNEW YOU.

I propose to you that the procurement of oil is not something you buy. The oil is produced in the time spent with the Person of God. It is not found in a prayer that you pray once in your life and that’s it you are good. It is not found in going to the marketplace to find a Simon who can distribute at his discretion. Do you think you get oil by adhering to the teachings of others, perhaps a famous apostle or popular prophet? I suggest to you that the answer is no. Do you think you can use a shortcut to get God to give you what you want? Do you attempt to use bargaining chips in your relationship with Him? Do you think that if you use the right words, bible verse, tone of humility or emotive worship that you will move Him to answer your prayers?

So, if I am telling you the wrong ways to attempt to buy oil, what then is the right way? We must all approach God on our own, have our own conversations, wrestles even with Him or what we believe He is asking of us.

We must accept the parable of the virgins as the invitation that it is. Not just a warning that our time is short but the Lord is laying it out that some WILL know Him when that day comes. He has made it possible to know Him! Make Him the Lord of your life, seek relationship with Him on His terms. They are clearly laid out for us in the bible.

Is He the One you have conversations with and does what He says guide your life or is He your genie in a bottle? Don’t worry it is not yet too late. The most important thing you can do is give Him your time. Be quiet in His Presence. That is a great way to honour Him as Lord. In negotiation talks it is said that he who controls the time and pace of the meeting is the one in control. How about sitting quietly and let Him talk?