MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Don’t look now but election season is upon us once again. Campaigns have already begun the process of gearing up for another vitriolic showdown with the opposing party, and banners and slogans are sprouting up on every lawn and TV screen around the country. Of course they vary from cycle to cycle, but they all carry the same basic message: “Vote for me, I’ll bring needed change… I’ll make a difference… I’ll get the job done… etc....” These are honorable goals and worthy of admiration, but sadly we only accept these ambitious statements as part of a political framework and don’t necessarily believe that they will be fulfilled as promised. Indeed, it seems impossible for even the most honorable public servant to produce any measurable improvement, given the political climate in which we live. Since the majority of us will never run for office, on any level, it seems even less likely that our lives could be used to make a difference, regardless of our ever increasing desire to see true and lasting reforms.

For the Christian, the desire to be a useful vessel for the kingdom of God should be even stronger. However, the means by which God prepares His servants for this sacrificial service, often proves to be a higher price than they are willing to pay. In the words of G.K. Chesterton, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”1 Albeit difficult, the path of Christian service is not impossible and Scripture gives us clear guidance on ways that we can engage in the spread of the gospel, for the sake of God’s Kingdom, through self-sacrifice.

First, it must be said that, personal holiness and sanctification of the individual believer, are of the utmost importance, when seeking to be used by the Lord. Paul told Timothy that, “…if anyone cleanses himself…[from iniquity], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”2 A believer who is unwilling to yield to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit should have no expectation of fruitfulness, and this can become one of the most difficult obstacles in the life of a Christian pursuing kingdom service. As Jesus Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”3

Second, there are literally thousands of opportunities for individual believers to pour their every waking moment into a good cause or an all-consuming ministry, based purely on what they want to do, but truly effective service comes only as a result of obeying God’s will. Subjugating ones free will to follow after the will and direction of the Lord is the greatest sacrifice that someone can make, but it also proves to be the most effective sacrifice that can be made. We know this to be true because once again, Jesus modeled it for us saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”4

Finally, when considering the subject of the ‘Great Commission’, i.e., “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…”5, it is worth remembering that it was to the Church that Jesus gave this command. It is therefore most effectively carried out by individuals who are working in conjunction with, and within the framework of the Body of Christ, the Church, “…for He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…”6 This also requires tremendous self-sacrifice because most people desire autonomy and a lack of accountability; not working well with others, endeavoring to keep unity, humbling ones-self for the sake of fellowship, and preferring the needs of others over their own.

We all hope to some degree that our lives will have meant something in the end, but as time inevitably slips by and we begin to evaluate what we’ve been able to accomplish; often a bleak and somewhat empty picture is unveiled and we ask ourselves, “Have I made a difference with the time and talent that God gave me? Has the world benefitted from my contribution?” The bible says that, we are but a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes, a flower which blooms and then withers away. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.”7 Paul was referring to the good works that we do, which only build upon the foundation that Jesus Christ has already laid. Obviously, there is no work that we can do to gain righteous standing before God, but once we are placed upon that foundation, our lives are to become a living sacrifice. This is reasonable and logical, based on what He has already done for us, but oh the time we waste, trying to crawl off that altar to pursue our selfish agendas. There is no doubt that God can use our lives to make a difference, a lasting impact, and to bring change, but only if we yield ourselves to Him, in the pursuit of His good and perfect will. Everything that is done in accordance with His will and for His glory has eternal weight. It is made of gold and silver, not wood, hay, and stubble.

Works Cited
1. Chesterton, G.K., What’s Wrong with the World, 1910, Pt. I, Ch.5
2. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, 2 Tim 2:21-22
3. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, Luke 9:23
4. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, Luke 22:42
5. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, Mar 16:15
6. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, Eph 4:11
7. New King James Version, Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publisher, 1 Cor 13:13