What difference does it make

From: Ben Kelley
Subject: What difference does it make?

While reading a book the other day, I ran across a statement that really caught my attention. Speaking of one of the characters in the book's story line, it said, "He believed in Communism the way most people believed in God; he would not be greatly surprised or disappointed if he turned out to be wrong, and meanwhile it made little difference to the way he lived." I kept going back as I read further in the book, asking myself repeatedly, "What difference does it make, my espoused faith in God? Would it really matter if it turned out it was not true? Does it affect my day to day life?" Then I thought, "that really is an accurate description of modern day Christianity. It really doesn't affect the way most of us live out our time here on earth." It's no wonder there is no power in our churches and individual lives; we don't live as if Jesus is real, but that's not the way it's supposed to be. Jesus said this, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35 (KJV) This stated that there should be an observable difference in those who follow Jesus. Another verse says, Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13 (KJV) The Jewish Sanhedrin (ruling council) recognized there was a difference in Peter and John, and they realized it came from their having been with Jesus. Then we have Paul's way of putting this idea, when he wrote: (1) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:8-10 (KJV), and (2) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

All of the above Scriptures say the same thing, anyone who has placed their faith and trust in Jesus, receiving Him as their Savior, should be recognizable as such. This doesn't mean they have become perfect in word, deed, and thought, that will happen when our eternal state begins, but it does mean their life here should begin to change, it should not continue on exactly as it did before; their faith should affect their lives. Take a few moments right now and think about these questions: "If Christianity weren't true, what difference would it make in my everyday living? Would it change what I was doing 5 minutes ago, or what I plan on doing 5 minutes from now? Would the words I say today, or said yesterday, be any different? Would the music I listen to change? Would the things I watch on television or at the movies change? What difference would it really make? Would what I do with my money change? Would what I read, or the amount of what I read, change? Would your life change in any way?" If you honestly realize that it would make very little difference in your everyday living, what are you going to do about it? I strongly urge you to spend some time with God right now, for Christianity is real!!!! Then, one final question, "would the people you go to school, work, or associate with in any other way, be surprised to learn you profess to be a child of God?" Jesus did die on the cross, paying the penalty demanded for your sins. It is true; HE is coming back to set up His rule and reign over all creation. Let us begin afresh investing in His kingdom!