"And none shall appear before me empty." If this was expressed in its positive form it would read: "They shall come before me as worshippers."  For to worship is the presenting of something to God.

The first mention of "worship" in the Old Testament gives us the basic and central thought in connection with the subject of worship. In Genesis 22:5 we read that Abraham said: "I and the lad will go yonder and worship." Abraham was about to offer his son unto the Lord (offer = bring). So in the New Testament we find wise men presenting gifts to the infant Saviour. Matt.2:11 ...and fell down and worshipped. I hope you see the language which would describe the gratitude and thankfulness is that of Ps.103:1 "Bless the Lord O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name."

The redeemed cannot appear before the redeemer "empty". Heb.13:15 says: "By Him therefore, (our redeemer) let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Our hearts should be filled with love and our mouths with praise as we appear before our Saviour God.

There are two aspects regards the believers position before God which may here be given due consideration. First, the believer is said to be born into the family of God, and thus by relationship God becomes his Father, and the believer becomes the child of God. Secondly, the Bible also speaks of the believer as being adopted into the family of God. In other words he is placed into the family of God with full status as a son by adoption. Entitled to all what belongs to his Father.

1 Peter 1:23 Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 Rom. 8:15 We have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.

Gal.4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of Sons, and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

There is an obvious reason for the two aspects of being born into the Family of God, and of being adopted into the Family. Being born into the family gives the child family and relationship rights, but in contrast, to be adopted into the family of God is to look back and remember from where we have been taken, and to where we have been placed - to make us thankful.

Our God has done everything he could possibly do for us that "none before Him should appear empty handed."