"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 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 vessels going in a time like this. Many are ready to cut corners just to win the 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 (Gen 25:29-32).
Beloved, I hope you have not burnt your cargoes, misplaced your priorities in life or thrown your birthrights into the trash just for a single meal like Esau. Remember, how he wept bitterly to claim it back but the damage was irreversible (Heb 12:16-17). His cargoes had been burnt by the strange fire of ungodliness and profanity.
Your life is too precious to be wasted, so don't throw your soul into the oven of hell for any reason. Don't let any worldly competition make you dip 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 to the wind or embrace the "quick fix" approach. But, rather go after God wholeheartedly.
Friends, are all your cargoes still intact? 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, I'm afraid your ship will capsize soon in the middle of the sea of life.
''What Will You Give In Exchange?'' is the title of a special hymn that reiterates the question that our Saviour asked in Matthew 16:26.
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?
May God help us be among the faithful sailors that will reach the Golden Shore with their cargoes intact when the race of life is over. May the strange oven of this world not consume or burn our labour, rewards and testimonials.
On behalf of my esteemed father in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, I want to invite you to the April 2024 Holy Ghost service. Date: Friday, April 5th, 2024. Theme: SHIELDED BY FIRE. Time: 7pm. Venue: Redemption City, Km 46 Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
Good day and God bless you. Amen
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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