True disciples are spiritually awake and ready for the return of Christ
Criteria
To determine for this series the marks of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, I used three criteria:
1. Jesus explicitly names the mark as a characteristic of true disciples. For example, see John 8:31.
2. Jesus teaches that anyone who lacks the mark will be excluded from the kingdom of God, rejected by him, or viewed by him as not his child. For example, see Matthew 25:1–13 below.
3. Jesus teaches the mark as a fundamental command. For example, see Luke 22:19.
In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches three parables that fit the second criteria. The failures described in these three parables focus on people who are supposed Christians but who have a fatal flaw. People who have true faith in Jesus and true love for him do not fail in these ways.
In Matthew 25:1–13 Jesus says:
“Then [that is, when Jesus comes again to the earth in glory] the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. (2) Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. (3) For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, (4) but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
“(5) As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. (6) But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ (7) Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
“(8) And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ (9) But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ (10) And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
“(11) Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ (12) But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
“(13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Spiritually awake
The parable’s takeaway is clear: True disciples are spiritually awake and always ready for the return of Christ. Jesus pictures this readiness with the lamps of his day, which were bowls containing oil and a wick. The lamp burned oil just as a candle today burns wax.
The burning lamp pictures spiritual life, authentic devotion to God, seeking the Lord, zeal for the Lord, earnestness about the things of God. As we might say today, this person is on fire for God.
Where has the fire gone?
The opposite is a heart that has cooled to the things of God. For example, recall the Lord’s familiar warning to the church of Laodicea:
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:15–17, ESV)
By saying, “I will spit you out of my mouth,” Jesus vividly communicates a coming rejection that must be averted by repentance. This is not something Jesus would say about a real Christian. So, these Laodiceans must overcome complacency. Their hearts must return to a burning devotion to their Savior. If not, they are shown to be false disciples who lack true, living, saving faith.
Tending the fire
This is the theological framework for what Jesus exhorts elsewhere: “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” (Luke 12:35–36, ESV)
Jesus commands his disciples to keep their lamps burning. This is not an optional exercise for super spiritual Christians; rather, it is the necessary activity of true disciples. We are responsible to keep our lamps burning. True faith is a burning faith.
So how do you keep your lamp burning? You make a priority out of the fundamentals, which include the following:
1. Read the Bible and pray daily. Meditate on Scripture prayerfully during the spaces in your schedule. In your devotional time with God, meditate on why you treasure him, and worship him for it.
2. Be involved in church weekly. Note, I did not say attend church weekly. It is easy to become complacent and assume all is well with your soul just because you show up to church every week. If we hear the Bible preached but do not put it into practice through love and service, we become what James calls a forgetful hearer (James 1:25). Listening to the Word of God but ignoring it is spiritually deadly. We can deceive ourselves to think we are right with God when we are not. So, we must participate in church, serve in church, fellowship with other believers and build relationships and help others grow.
3. Spread the gospel and make disciples. Every Christian can and should participate in the Great Commission. You need not have a degree from a Bible college to be involved in the work of the Lord as a Christian who is on fire for God and cares about lost souls and immature believers.
4. Repent of the love of the world. Spiritual fire cannot coexist with worldly compromise.
Takeaway
True disciples are spiritually awake and ready for the return of Christ.