Making An Eternal Difference

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6-7

Have you ever thought of yourself as someone who can make an eternal difference? Most of us tend to live lives managing our sin and don’t look much beyond that. But the way we live – how we behave – treat others – reflect the image of Christ wherever we happen to be and any point in time – it has an eternal consequence.  We were watching a sermon yesterday morning and the preacher was using Colossians for his scriptural reference. He talked about Epaphras.  Epaphras is one of about 3200 people named in the Bible. We don’t know much about him except that he loved the people in the church of Colossae (Co-loss-eye) and sought Paul out to help encourage them in their faith.  Aside from that he is just a name referenced.

God has a plan for each of us. Do find that hard to imagine? I have been a part of a number of Christian ventures – even led some of them – been recognized for my contribution – but most often it was not me that actually did what was done. It was other – unnamed – people. People who loved God and loved people.  People who were willing to set their lives aside for the good of others. People who, perhaps, did not understand their eternal contribution in the lives of others. Years ago, a friend said to me, “Charley, I finally figured you out. You get things started and then walk away.” My place has been to lead, to inspire, to organize other Christians for the benefit of those in need and for the glory of God. 

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all ….. one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7,11

We all have a role in God’s plan for mankind.  If you read on in chapter 12 you will see that one roll is not more important than another.  It doesn’t do anything to help people for me to be gifted in the way God has gifted me, if there are not others willing to exercise their gifts in response to the exercising of mine.  And all of us are dependent upon the Spirit of God to accomplish our parts in God’s plan and purposes.  Notoriety is not, or should not be, the goal. Even to get an honorable mention like Paul gave Epaphras. Like the unknown soldiers – serving to the point of sacrificing their lives.  Our sacrifices are for the glory of God and the good of others.  Our lives should not be wasted because we have chosen to hide our light under a bushel basket – to clutch our salvation close to our breasts, unwilling to share it with the world.  We have been saved for much more than spending eternity with God in heaven.  Each of us has a purpose – a role to play – in this life that has eternal consequences for others.  I don’t pretend to understand why God would choose to use us – but He does. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone