GO, TELL EVERYBODY

After that, Jesus said to his followers, “You have to go out to everywhere in the world and tell everybody the good news about me" - Mark 16:15 (PEV)

Fritz Kreisler, the world-famous violinist, saw an exquisite violin on one of his trips, but he wasn’t able to buy it. After saving enough money, he returned to the seller with the hope of buying the beautiful instrument. But he was surprised that it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the collector’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Kreisler was keenly disappointed and was about to leave when he had an idea. “Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?” he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. “I have no right to keep that to myself,” he exclaimed. “It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.” (Our Daily Bread, February, 4, 1994)

From the above story, we can say that there are two categories of people in every generation - The Collectors and Distributors. The collectors gather valuable things about God but are unwilling to share them with others. They have archived God's redemption agenda for mankind in their hearts like a prized possession. They have stockpiled many beautiful evidence or testimonies of God's faithfulness in their heads. They have warehoused the sound of the rhyme of grace and liberty in their heart like an exquisite violin meant for them alone.  Unfortunately, many people around them are going to hell daily because they refuse to get on the platform and play the soul transforming music of salvation to them. This is very pathetic!

Unlike the collectors, the distributors are always ready to share what they have collected with everyone around them. The urgency and importance of the great commission highlighted in Mark 16:15 always stirs them up to action. These people understand the terrible implications of living like a collector that Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:16. So, they eagerly seek for opportunities to take the gospel to others without being coaxed. 

"..It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!"- 1 Cor 9:16b (TPT)

It is obvious that the number of the collectors in this generation is more than that of the distributors. Majority of Christians who go to church every week to collect sermons never bother to share what they learned with unbelievers around them. They are busy building up their Bible knowledge database and testimony catalogues without paying any attention to the pitiable conditions of sinners around them. What a myopic mindset!

Beloved, I sincerely hope you are not one of the collectors in this generation. If you are, then, please repent today. You don't have any right to keep the Gospel to yourself. Please stop giving flimsy excuses for not witnessing to unbelievers around you. Remember, you will be held accountable for the blood of every sinner you refused to witness to (Ezekiel 33:6) 

This powerful hymn below expresses Christ’s call to spread the gospel. The hymn stirs both the heart and feet for mission, reminding us that Christ’s command is still urgent today.

GO, PREACH MY GOSPEL By Isaac Watts

“Go, preach My gospel,” saith the Lord.

“Bid the whole earth My grace receive.

Explain to them My sacred word;

Bid them believe, obey, and live.

“Go, heal the sick; go raise the dead;

Go, cast out devils in My name;

Nor let My prophets be afraid,

Though Greeks reproach and Jews blaspheme.

“While thus ye follow My commands

I’m with you till the world shall end;

All power is trusted in My hands;

I can destroy and can defend.”

May God destroy the collector mindset in us and energize us to take the gospel to the world as Christ commanded.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com