Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
March 14, 2001 Randall Caselman
Making A Difference
A recent Gallup Poll concluded that "churchgoers do not differ appreciably from nonchurchgoers in matters of moral and ethical behavior.” Sad, isn’t it? Sad that we have allowed the world to force us into its mold so much that the points of distinction between the church and the world are indistinguishable. We have the same morals, the same business practices; we gossip, carp, judge others, fuss, fight, divorce and remarry, just like the world around us. Sad indeed!
There is no doubt that the Bible teaches us that we should be different. “Therefore,” Paul writes in Romans 12.1-2, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Scriptures tell us that we are to be children of light; that we are to be children brought out of this world’s darkness; that we are to be the light of the world; that we are to be the salt of the earth; that we are to shine like stars in a crooked and depressed generation; that we are to be the salt of the earth; that we are to be examples for others to follow, as we follow Jesus; that we are to be a holy nation; that we are to be a royal priesthood; that we are to be Abraham’s seed living by faith, not by sight.
Having determined from scripture that we are to be different, we ask how?
FIRST, we must show our difference by faith and obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” If we believe Jesus is God’s grace demonstrated toward us, we will love. And love demands, motivates, results in obedience. We cannot say we love, and refuse to serve the object of our love. It is impossible.
It’s not enough to say, “Lord, Lord.” We must keep His commandments. The world believes that an outward confession of faith is enough, but it’s not. Consider these two statements from Christ: “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17, NIV). “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:21, 24).
The wise man Solomon understood obedience and faithfulness when he wrote, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).
SECOND, we must show our difference by our behavior toward others. Jesus insisted that we love our neighbors and our enemies - that we not hate - that we not take revenge - that we give to those in need - that we forgive as God has forgiven us - that we bear one another’s burdens - that we must not judge, but extend mercy to all.
I can tell you the world does not have these attitudes. But we are to be different. John says, "Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. - if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4.7, 12)
THIRD, we must show our difference in our moral behavior. The world justifies anything and everything through situation ethics. God’s commands are absolute. His morals are absolute. And so should ours be.
I believe Paul contrasts worldly behavior and Christian behavior in the fifth chapter of Galatians. First, the world: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Then, the Christian: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”
Isn’t it time in the church - in this church - that we be known as distinctively different people because of our morals and ethical behavior? I believe it is!
FOURTH, we should be different in how we react to stress and adversity. Our best example is Jesus in the garden. No, He didn’t want to suffer. But it was “Thy will, not mine.” Notice some other Biblical examples: Paul and Silas sang praises when they were locked away in a Philippian jail at midnight; Joseph kept his faith while in Egyptian slavery and prison; Daniel prayed in spite of the King’s commandment not to; Stephen prayed for the very murderers who were stoning him to death.
An early Christian named Polycarp was offered the chance to escape death by burning if he would renounce Jesus. His response? “Eighty and six years have I served Him and he never wronged me once; how then shall I blaspheme my king, who saved me?” And he died in the flames of martyrdom.
Our culture believes that life should be fair, and when suffering comes, people wring their hands and cry, Unfair! Foul! God’s children understand that their God is in control and that He has promised to work all things to their benefit. God helps us to trust in Him. When we cannot see His hand at work in our lives, or our prayers being answered, we should trust His promises.
You see, being different is better than being conformed to the world. More than this, being different is commanded. May God bless our difference, by helping us
make a difference.
RANDALL CASELMAN
