"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"- Matthew 16:26 (AMP)
In a steamboat race, one of the leading boat suddenly began to fall behind. The coal in the oven had been exhausted. Then, the sailor took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the oven. When he saw that the cargoes burned like coal, he fueled his boat with the material he had been assigned to transport. Although, he ended up winning the race, but burned his cargo.
Life is a steamboat race and many people are running to win at all cost. The spirit of competition has made many sailors to device several ungodly means of surviving and keeping their vessel going in a time like this. Many are ready to cut corners just to win their race and be applauded. Like Esau, they are willing to mortgage their souls, forfeit their birthrights and throw their integrity in the waste bin for worldly riches and gains that are transient (Genesis 25:29-32).
Beloved, I hope you have not burnt your cargo/luggage like Esau. Hope you have not misplaced your priorities in life like Esau. Hope you have not thrown your birthright and rightstanding with God into the trash just for a single meal like Esau. Remember, how Esau wept bitterly to claim it back but the damaged was irreversible (Hebrews 12:16-17). His cargoes had been burnt by the strange fire in the oven of ungodliness and profanity.
Your life is too precious to be waste, so, don't throw your soul into the oven of hell for any reason. Don't let any worldly competition make you deep your hands into things that will cause you to cry like Esau when you reach the golden shore. Your cargoes may look like coals but they are not coals. Don't throw caution into the wind nor embrace the "quick fix" approach. But, rather go after God wholeheartedly and your story will change for good.
Friends, are all your cargoes still intact? Are your cargoes of salvation, consecration, sanctification, holiness still intact or have you thrown them into the oven? Have you thrown your virginity, dignity and integrity into the oven? What about the seven locks of hair upon your head? Where is the aura of God's glory and presence you used to carry? Are you sure you have not offloaded it into the oven? If you have, I urge you to please retrace your steps to where you lost it. Repent and plead for mercy today because without genuine repentance, am afraid your ship will soon capsize in the middle of the sea of life.
One special song that reiterates the question that our saviour asked in Matthew 16:26 is titled " What Will You Give In Exchange?".
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE IN EXCHANGE? By F. J. Berry
Brother afar from the Savior today,
Risking your soul for the things that decay;
O if today God should call it away,
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Refrain:
What would you give? What would you give?
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
O if today God should call it away,
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Mercy is calling you, won’t you give heed?
Must the dear Savior still tenderly lead?
Risk not your soul, it is precious indeed;
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
More than the silver and gold of the earth—
More than all jewels thy spirit is worth!
God, the Creator, has given it birth!
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
If, when you stand at the bar by and by,
When you are weighed in the balance on high,
You should be sentenced forever to die!
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
It is my prayer that God will help us to be among those faithful sailors that will reach the Golden Shore with our cargoes intact when the great steamboat race of life is over. May the strange oven of this world not consume or burn our labour, rewards and testimonials. And may God use us mightily to usher many brothers and sisters who are still far away into the kingdom before the trumpet sounds in Jesus name, Amen.
On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I want to invite you to the September 2020 Holy Ghost service. Date: Friday, September 4th, 2020. Theme: Let The Light Shine -8. Time: 7pm (Nigerian Time). Venue: Watch live on DoveTv, YouTube and other streaming channels. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy G.O - Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.
Good day and God bless you. Amen
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
For more articles, please visit -
http://okanlawon.webnode.com
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
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