A Religious Woman Lost

Some time ago I heard of a lady living in a country place where modern conveniences in the way of lighting and such like were not to be had. She had never been very wicked, as man would say. Frequently she attended church, said her prayers regularly, even read her Bible, and in short hoped that all was right for eternity, yet was seldom concerned about the question of salvation, for her conscience had never been reached. She had no realization of the sinfulness of her own heart. Wrapped in her rags of self-righteousness she was contentedly hastening on to judgment. Peace in a sense she had, but a false peace, not peace with God. She was simply at peace with herself, for she had never known true soul trouble.
She was alone in her room one night when suddenly the lamp which she had lighted went out, leaving her in the darkness. Almost involuntarily she exclaimed, “There is no oil in the lamp!” Then she added, “I’ve heard that before. Ah, yes, the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-12). Five of them had no oil in their lamps when the bridegroom came, and they were shut out of the feast.” Her mind became troubled. For several days and even nights, the thought was ever with her. She would often cry out in anguish of soul, “No, I have no oil in my lamp. My God, what will become of me? I have not the grace of God in my heart!”
A horror of great darkness came upon her. She longed to be saved, yet knew not how. In great distress she began to pray, and God opened her eyes to see her utterly lost, undone condition in His sight, and showed her that she could do nothing to save herself. She searched His Word for light as to how she might obtain the longed-for “oil,” and at last was led to realize that the work that saves had all been finished long ago when the Lord Jesus bore her sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24); that all she had to do to possess eternal life and to know that she had it, was to believe on Him (1 John 5:13). Glad she was indeed to be saved so simply, and yet in a way that brought such satisfaction. Sin had all been judged on Another, and she was justified from all things (Acts 13:38,39). She rested in simple faith in Christ, and now rejoices that she is His for time and eternity.
Before, she had a profession; now, she has Christ. Before, she was dressed in the rags of self-righteousness; now, she is clothed in the righteousness of God (1 Cor. 1:30). Before, she had an empty lamp only; now, she is a possessor of the oil of the Spirit, who has sealed her for heaven (Eph. 4:30).
Let me earnestly entreat any reader who is without oil in his lamp to face his true condition now, without any further delay. Hesitate not to tell out everything into the ears of a holy God. Then look up by faith to the One who was made to be sin for you, that you might become the righteousness of God in Him. He was lifted up on Calvary’s cross “that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Saved then by sovereign grace, you will find every need met for time and eternity in the risen Christ, “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”