FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

ing Spirit of Christ. As Paul writes, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9), which portrays the foolish five who ran out of oil. “Five were prudent,” careful to take extra oil with them. These prepared five represent the people who respond pos- itively to the wooing of the Spirit and say yes to Jesus. Once saved, Jesus comes to dwell in us through the third member of the Trinity, thus, Paul could write: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840), one of the greatest violin- ists of all time, was about to perform before a sold-out opera house.Walking on stage to a huge ovation and sensing some- thing wrong, he soon realized he had someone else’s violin in his hands.Terrified, but knowing the show must go on, he went on to give the performance of his life. After the concert, talking with another musician, he admitted, “Today I learned the most important lesson of my entire career. Before today I thought the music was in the violin; today I learned that the music is in me.” If you’re truly saved, the “music is in you” through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. As a result, you have at your disposal sufficient “oil” to provide abundant life in this world, as well as the extra oil required for admission into the world to come. As Paul also records, “You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Moving along in our story, note that the wedding lingered because of an unexpected delay, so much so that ten virgins “All got drowsy and began to sleep” (Matthew 25:5). Having offici- ated at many wedding ceremonies over the years, this comes as no surprise.Weddings often contain unexpected surprises. I’ve

73