more, the empty, oil-less, flameless
lamp by Octavius Winslow. See to it that your religious
knowledge is not borrowed from a church, or from a minister,
or from a creed, but is derived directly and only from Christ. Let your knowledge of Christ,
your faith in Christ, your love to Christ, your obedience to
Christ be the test and the measure of the light that is in you.
Is there not a great danger of borrowing our religious thoughts,
sentiments and phraseology from others? And was not this the
case with the foolish virgins in the parable, when they exclaimed,
Please give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out?
Matthew chapter 25 verse 8 Oh, it is of the utmost importance
that our religious light is not a borrowed or false light. See
that your religion is your own, the personal vital experience
of your own heart. Nothing is easier or more deceptive
or fatal than to make a religious profession, adopt a religious
ritual, imitate the experience, and quote the language of others.
A borrowed or a counterfeit religion is of all religions the most
ensnaring and dangerous. Do not go to the grave clad in
the religious apparel of others, but robed in Christ's true and
joyous garments of salvation, girded with the golden belt of
truth, holiness, and love. Do not carry the empty, oilless,
flameless lamp of a mere religious profession to death's gate.