This is the story of Leon, who likes keeping himself busy: Leon is very hard-working. As a student, his friends called him a book worm. He was the top performer in his school, always topped every subject. He was not just hard-working, he was brilliant too. Leon, at a very young age, managed to start a very successful business. His wife and kids adored him, but were disappointed as he was seldom around. Leon, in his middle age, received Jesus Christ as his lord and saviour and dedicated his life serving Christ. Leon was gifted in the ministry of healing and deliverance. Soon, Leon’s ministry was well renowned, and he travelled across the globe healing the sick and casting out demons. Leon was busier than ever and throughout his lifetime had ministered to millions of people. However, Leon failed to show genuine love for others. He used his gifts, more so to glorify himself rather than to glorify God. Leon was impatient towards his family and staff, he was unkind and unappreciative towards people that worked hard in his ministry. He often would brag about the miraculous healings he conducted and undermined other ministries and preachers. He was often arrogant, rude and always pursued his own interest, not to mention he was selfish, unforgiving, and bragged about his testimonies, and was a difficult person to get along with. Leon continued with his ministry of healing the sick and casting out demons, until the end of his life.

Leon is now standing in front of God’s judgement seat, expecting to get a great reward for his hard work and zealous labour of serving the Lord. God looks at Leon and says, “Who are you? Do I know you?” Leon, at first, is a little surprised by God’s question as everybody on earth knew him and his ministry was renowned worldwide. He thought, “Surely, God has a good sense of humour pretending not to know me after all these years that I have served him.” “Well”, Leon replied with a quivering voice, “I am Leon, your devoted servant, who served you day and night, tirelessly casting out demons, healing the sick, preaching your word to all.” God looks at Leon and says, “I do not know you. Depart from my presence.” Leon is utterly shocked as this was not at all what he expected.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Mt 7: 21-23 ESV)

The story of Leon has an important lesson for all of us. We are not rewarded by God just because we are gifted, but we are rewarded for being fruitful. Leon was very gifted, but unfruitful and he lost his focus and was cut off from his eternal life because he failed to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Although Leon was hard-working and dedicated in serving God, he failed to walk in love. He sought his own glory instead of glorifying God. God judges us not just for the work we do, but also for our motives. If you are not bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will be cut off from your eternal rewards. We are not judged by our gifts, but we are judged by the fruits we bear. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…” (Jh 15: 1-27 ESV)

As we journey through life, we will come at a crossroad where we must choose between the eternal and the worldly. Every decision we make will impact our eternity. The wrong and worldly decisions we make will take us further away from our godly purpose, whereas the right decisions we make will get us closer to our godly purpose. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:15-17 ESV)

God wants us to prioritise our life and focus on seeking Him first. Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Lk 10 :38-42 ESV)

Time is a valuable resource. The bible tells us to use our time wisely because we are accountable to God on the usage of our time. Although, we all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 12 months in a year, the lifespan of each person is different. Some may have 20 years to live while others may live to be centenarians. We know that to those where more is given, more is expected out of them.

God holds us accountable for the time and talent He has given us. Our eternal reward is based on our fruitfulness in this life. St Paul describes our lives as a race and we are all running to win the crown. Some run the race to win the eternal reward that is imperishable whilst others run for a worldly reward which is perishable. Which race are you running?  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9:24-27 NIV)

Many Christians live their lives focused on the temporal, on the here and now, totally oblivious of eternity. Eternity is time with no end, its forever. Our lives are for a moment. Even 100 years of our lifespan compare nothing to eternity. Would you focus on the pleasures of a moment and let go of eternity? Would you strive to be successful now and doomed for eternity? Would you give your best for a fleeting moment and not give a thought about eternity?

The world and its glamour are very enticing, but do not be deceived. It’s false advertising to lure you into idolatry, to seek your own glory and the momentary pleasures of this world. The truth is, if God does not remember you, nobody else will, because you will cease from existence. Eternity is for those who love God and fulfil His purpose. What is your purpose? Is it eternal or is it worldly? When your lifespan comes to an end, where are you planning to go? Is it heaven or is it hell? “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Heb 3: 15 ESV)

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