WHY
THE DIFFERENCE?
A
man can get out of bed at three o'clock on Saturday morning to go
fishing, but when you talk to him about Sunday morning bible classes,
he can't get up that early on Sunday! WHY THE DIFFERENCE?
A
man can go a hundred miles on Friday night to a ball game but is too
tired to get out for the worship on Sunday and Wednesday nights! WHY
THE DIFFERENCE?
A
man can take his family to an amusement park and spend considerable
money but can't afford to give more than a dollar to the Lord! WHY
THE DIFFERENCE?
A
man can be on the membership committee at the civic club and canvass
among his friends for prospective members but can't make the right
approach when asked to do personal work for the Lord! WHY THE
DIFFERENCE?
A
man can take an aspirin and go to work despite an annoying headache,
but a similar headache is considered a good reason for missing the
worship! WHY THE DIFFERENCE?
- Author Unknown -
This
little article appeared in a bulletin over 25 years ago which I found
the other day. I don't know who the author was, but he raised some
interesting questions that are as appropriate today as they were
those many years ago. Certainly they are very thought-provoking and
the question of "why the difference" is worthy of our
consideration.
The
"difference" involves an attitude of heart and where our
focus is in regard to what we consider to be of greater importance.
It is a contrast between the choices of that which is physical and
that which is spiritual in nature. This ought to cause us to
consider where our priorities are and how we appear to God as He
looks into our hearts. Though we may sing "Oh how I love
Jesus", our choices may demonstrate otherwise.
Indeed,
there are always those who find every excuse to be somewhere else or
do something other than to assemble with their brethren to worship
God. When we compare the attitudes of heart between these and David,
the contrast is sharp. David said, "I was glad when they said
to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" (Psm. 122:1)
There
is no doubt that we tend to talk about that which interests us the
most. So, when brethren claim to not know how to talk to others
about the Lord and salvation, they stand in stark contrast to
Jeremiah who said that the word of God "...was in my heart like
a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back,
and I could not." (Jer. 20:9) We see this same passion in those
early Christians living in Jerusalem who, during great persecution
"were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and
Samaria..." and at tremendous risk of life, "went
everywhere preaching the word." (Acts 8:1, 4)
It
is not uncommon to find those who will put in the collection plate
whatever is "left over" after first spending on their own
entertainment. Paul warned of those who are "...lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God." (2 Tim. 3:4) When we
contrast the difference between these and the Macedonians of Paul's
day, the difference is quite obvious. Notice, "...in a great
trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty
abounded in the riches of their liberality, for I bear witness that
according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were
freely willing" to give. (2 Cor. 8:2-3)
That
which motivated the Macedonians to give as they did is the same key
to faithfulness that contrasts so distinctly against those who are
indifferent. They "...first
gave themselves to the Lord,
and then to us by the will of God." (2 Tim. 3:5) Paul described
this same kind of allegiance to God in the drastic change that turned
him from persecutor to preacher, and the resulting life that he lived
after his conversion. "I have been crucified with Christ; It is
no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)
When
people heed the call of God's word, and respond to it, there is a
change that should take place. "For the grace of God that
brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,
and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and
glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and
purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
(Tit. 2:11-14) We are to become different from the world as God's
own "special people."
Those
who are Christians "...are sanctified in Christ, called to be
saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord..." (1 Cor. 1:2) If we have been "sanctified"
(set apart) by the Lord, certainly we should "...sanctify the
Lord God in [our] hearts..." (1 Pet. 3:15) If He holds a
special place in our hearts, our focus in life will always be with
Him as our purpose, our motivation and our confidence. This will
make us different.
It
is certain that the rest of the world will notice that we are
different. Our choices of greatest interest will distinguish us from
the rest of the world whose focus is on the physical gratification of
the flesh. Therefore, "...they think it strange that you do not
run with them in the same flood of dissipation..." (1 Pet. 4:4)
But this difference goes deeper than just an outward distinction that
others can see. It goes to our very heart - "For you are the
temple
of the living God. As God has said; 'I will dwell in them and walk
among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'"
(2 Cor. 6:16) He
is the difference!
What
will make the difference on the day of judgment? "When the Son
of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him....He
will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left."
(Mt. 25:31, 33) Read the rest of that chapter and "Do not be
deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will
also reap. For
he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he
who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."
Gal. 6:7-8)
-
Gary V. Womack - January 2005