What difference does it make . . . ?

READ 2 Timothy

A television drama featured a group of people who worshipped ‘astral’ beings who gave them ‘light’ and ‘purpose’ and separation from the world. Totally convinced that they had heard truth and must live by it, they had a pastoral leader, a special book from their gods (who lived in the sun) and rites that included a ‘baptism’ and much secrecy. I thought of the Christian message and how it could be interpreted with a similar description but with an overwhelming difference; Jesus Christ.

This astral group did not have a Savior who came to reveal to them the God that created all things and who died for their sin and rose from the dead. They did not have the One who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10) nor did they know the One who banishes fear and replaces it with power, love and self-control (1:7). This became more evident in the drama as their selfishness was exposed.

Jesus makes the difference. No matter the claims of any other religion, He is the only one who walked out of a tomb, gives us Himself and that same powerful life, and then guards that which He has entrusted to us (1:14). We who believe are “strengthened by His grace” and “given understanding in everything” (2:1; 7). He is totally faithful, keeping His promises as He delivers us from our sin and leads us in our journey to spend eternity with Him.

The world looks on and sees a mixed bag in the kingdom of God. Not everyone is as godly as they are supposed to be, but for Jesus, this is not an issue. We are not saved by our performance but by His death and resurrection, and by His grace . . .

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:19–21)

As each believer allows the work of God in them, each are at varying places in our spiritual growth. We are supposed to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” calling on the Lord with a pure heart and escaping the snare of the devil who had previously captured us to do his will — a will involving lies and destruction, not truth and life. We are doing it because the difference is Jesus.

This reading warns that in the last days (which we are in since Jesus ascended to heaven) there would be difficulties:

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:2–5)

We are to avoid them, following the Bible’s teaching and trusting the Lord to lead us in a godly life, even though godliness invites persecution and “evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (3:13). Instead, we are to continue in what we have learned — knowing from whom we learned it, not through strange visions or lofty ideas contrary to the Word of God but relying on Him who makes us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (3:15) Jesus makes the difference.

The book makes the difference too. Only the Word of God can make us what God wants us to be: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (3:16–17) Remember, Jesus is the “Word made flesh” (see John 1) and it is Jesus who makes the difference.

God tells me that whatever He gives me to do, I must do it. “For the time is coming (and isn’t it already here?) when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work . . .”  (4:3–5) that God gave me. Timothy was an evangelist and my role is not the same, but I’m still to “fight the good fight” until Jesus returns, trusting Him to “rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom” — and in all of life give Him glory because He is the One who makes the difference.