04.08 The close of opportunity

VIII. THE CLOSE OF OPPORTUNITY

“And the door was shut. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, ’Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ’Verily, I say unto you, I know you not.’ “ The door was shut. There is, if God’s great gift of free will be not a delusion there must be, ultimately, the close of opportunity. Some chance, though we cannot discern it, will be the last. You will notice that the poor foolish virgins still keep their first desire: the cry of their wishes is still “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But there comes a limit to mere wishing a time when it is proved finally futile. And to those who have to the end contented themselves with sentiments and aspirations and have postponed decisions and avoided convictions, the awful word is spoken by the just and loving judge “I know you not.” When the close of opportunity has come He knows only those who have set their minds and souls and wills in prayer and sacrifice to the life-work of knowing Him. Surely there is nothing in all Scripture more solemn, more searching, than this judgment of mere good wishes. “Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour/’

TAGS: [Parables]