What Makes the Difference?
High school, somewhere in the 70's.
Mrs. Bailey. She wasn't flashy. One-piece dresses. Short, dark, curled hair. A necklace. That was the extent of her daily presentation. Serious, to the point, but not stern. She meant business. She taught me how to type.
Mrs. Davis. Four straight years, she had the pleasure of my attendance in her math courses. I think she actually smiled at me twice--twice as much as she smiled at anyone else. You know, being her favorite and all.
I don't think about these ladies every day, but what I learned from them--well, it shows up every day. I can type as fast as any old-school sports writer. And I like doing math in my head, or out loud just to agitate the Brunette.
Their teachings became a part of my life. I do it without thinking. It's built in. They made a difference in my life.
Last week, in a Baptist church that felt like a childhood home, we sang an old Bill and Gloria Gaither song: The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference.
When the chorus started and I heard those words, it stopped me. Has the cross made a difference to me? I didn't hear another word. I thought about it all during Holy Week.
It made a difference when God called me at age 14 at Gladeview Baptist Church. It made a difference when I was ordained a deacon. It made a difference when we decided to walk out in faith and be a part of the beginning of Grace Fellowship.
But has the cross--the pre-paid cost of life forever with Christ--permeated my being? Did I become, am I, a "new creature"?
There are days I don't read my Bible, but I think on it all the time. I don't "pray without ceasing", but I talk to God constantly. And it's hard at times to "be angry and sin not", but I'm better than I used to be.
Am I--are we--some minotaur-esque hybrid? Half saint, half sinner?
Scripture says we're not. God's call to His elect is sure and secure--100% saints.
But here's where we live...the war is won, the battle continues.
We will fail Him. "For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another". (Gal 5:17) The battle between flesh and spirit produces some losses.
God will not fail us. “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29) Double security; the war is won.
The cross has made a difference to me--exactly to the degree of God's intent. It's everywhere inside of me, of us. The battle is for the flesh to clear a path, to yield...
“…yield yourselves unto God… and your members as instruments of righteousness…” (Rom 6:13)
Stand firm. Walk worthy. Abide in Christ.
Mrs. Bailey. She wasn't flashy. One-piece dresses. Short, dark, curled hair. A necklace. That was the extent of her daily presentation. Serious, to the point, but not stern. She meant business. She taught me how to type.
Mrs. Davis. Four straight years, she had the pleasure of my attendance in her math courses. I think she actually smiled at me twice--twice as much as she smiled at anyone else. You know, being her favorite and all.
I don't think about these ladies every day, but what I learned from them--well, it shows up every day. I can type as fast as any old-school sports writer. And I like doing math in my head, or out loud just to agitate the Brunette.
Their teachings became a part of my life. I do it without thinking. It's built in. They made a difference in my life.
Last week, in a Baptist church that felt like a childhood home, we sang an old Bill and Gloria Gaither song: The Old Rugged Cross Made the Difference.
When the chorus started and I heard those words, it stopped me. Has the cross made a difference to me? I didn't hear another word. I thought about it all during Holy Week.
It made a difference when God called me at age 14 at Gladeview Baptist Church. It made a difference when I was ordained a deacon. It made a difference when we decided to walk out in faith and be a part of the beginning of Grace Fellowship.
But has the cross--the pre-paid cost of life forever with Christ--permeated my being? Did I become, am I, a "new creature"?
There are days I don't read my Bible, but I think on it all the time. I don't "pray without ceasing", but I talk to God constantly. And it's hard at times to "be angry and sin not", but I'm better than I used to be.
Am I--are we--some minotaur-esque hybrid? Half saint, half sinner?
Scripture says we're not. God's call to His elect is sure and secure--100% saints.
But here's where we live...the war is won, the battle continues.
We will fail Him. "For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another". (Gal 5:17) The battle between flesh and spirit produces some losses.
God will not fail us. “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29) Double security; the war is won.
The cross has made a difference to me--exactly to the degree of God's intent. It's everywhere inside of me, of us. The battle is for the flesh to clear a path, to yield...
“…yield yourselves unto God… and your members as instruments of righteousness…” (Rom 6:13)
Stand firm. Walk worthy. Abide in Christ.
Posted in Member Stories