"....None of you are to appear before Me empty-handed"- Exodus 34:20 (AMP)
A story was told of a young man who was about to die after he had been a Christian for only one month. Although, he was grateful to God for the salvation of his soul towards the end of his days on earth, but he was not happy that he never had enough opportunity to share the gospel with others. Before he eventually passed on, he said: “I am not afraid to die; Jesus saved me now, but must I go empty-handed?”
The young man's statement above clearly summarizes the Believer's Key Performance Indicator (KPI). The desire to achieve this KPI must be a top priority for every genuine believer as we gradually approach our departure time on earth. ''I must not go empty-handed'' should be our slogan till we cross the narrow bridge. We must be intentional and passionate about soul-winning at all times.
Unfortunately, unlike that young man, many of us have been saved for years without a handful of converts in the kingdom to our credit. Our heads, pockets, wardrobes, and shoe racks are full but our hands are empty. People are hailing us but God is grieved that we are approaching eternity empty-handed. We have many ministerial, academic, and professional certifications but as far as God is concerned we are a bunch of fruitless Christians occupying space in the kingdom. People even address us with big titles like Choir Leader, Chief Usher, Deacon, Deaconess, Senior Pastor, Apostle, Evangelist, Arch Bishop, etc. but if we should appear before our master today, He would call us "unproductive and useless believers".
“You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit,....". John 15:16 (MSG)
Beloved, please be sincere with yourself. Have you been meeting heaven's expectations or not? Are you heading to Heaven empty-handed or are your hands full? What have you got to show the Lord for all the years He has saved you? What have you done with all the days you have spent on earth? When your sojourn on earth is eventually over, will you show God your many worldly perishable fruits or achievements like ordination certificates, academic qualifications, expensive rings, wristwatches, lovely wears, shoes, posh automobiles, and fat bank accounts? Or will you appear before the Lord with things of eternal worth which is countless souls of men that the Holy Spirit has won into His kingdom through you? The choice is yours and I hope you will choose wisely so you will not end your journey with regret.
This wonderful hymn below re-echoes the need to rekindle the fire and passion for soul-winning in the body of Christ in our generation:
MUST I GO EMPTY-HANDED? C. C Luther, 1877
“Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Chorus:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?
Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
O the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I'd gladly bow.
O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet 'tis day;
Ere the night of death o'er take thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.
May God unleash upon us an unquenchable passion for souls and a deep burden to share the gospel, so that rather than living a life of vanity, we shall redeem our time now and bear fruit unto eternal life (John 4:36).
Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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