The Difference It Makes by West End Church of Christ

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The Difference It Makes "Does it make any difference what kind of religion I profess and practice?" That question has as many answers as it does askers and is one of the most frequently posed religious questions one hears. To many, the type of religion one practices is of little consequence. As long as a person is honest about it, reasonably tolerant of others, and possessed of a good humanitarian spirit, religion is religion--one is as good as any of them, many opine. To others, there is one religion which has a wide latitude of ways to practice and express it. A fundamental value is placed on a generic creed that accepts Jesus Christ of the Bible as the only begotten Son of God, the Bible as the word of God, and God as the all wise, powerful, present Being who created everything. However, the understanding of the work of Christ, the interpretation of the Bible, and concept of God Almighty may differ widely among those who profess this "one" religion. Another group of people profess that there is one, and only one, religion that is right and that all must conform to the biblical concept of it or be lost. Just what is right? What must one understand and believe about all this? The West End church of Christ presents this program each week at this time. Our purpose is to help you have a better understanding of the Bible. We also hope you will come to understand and know us. We offer nothing other than that which we find in your own Bible. At any time, should you hear anything from us that you do not believe is biblical, please call that to our attention. We will not deliberately be wrong about anything. We invite you to meet with us today. At 9 this morning we have Bible classes for all ages, followed at 10 for worship. We meet to worship again this evening at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 7 p.m. we have more Bible classes for all ages. Our meeting house is located at the corner of Parkside Drive and Old Morgantown Road, just across from Lampkin Park. Please come visit and see what the church of Christ is like. We publish a small paper twice a month. It is a teaching medium only. It is free. There is no subscription price. There is no obligation. In it you will find a number of biblical themes discussed in short lessons. If you want this paper, write a note or card to West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Our zip code is 42101. You also may call 842-7880 and we will put you on the mailing list. We do not ask for nor do we accept contributions, donations, or gifts for this paper. The crucial issue over the difference it makes stems not from how good and saintly humans respond to the question; God's answer is of far higher importance than the collective wisdom of all the sages who ever lived on earth. God's response takes second place, however, to the majority of good religionists. It is shoved into silence by the traditional values, emotional responses, and pragmatic applications we humans develop. What we develop may become the tradition of the next generation, just as our view of religion may have come from our ancestors. Anytime at all that an honest inquirer desires to know the truth, it is available. Jesus settled that once and for all time. "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether I speak on my own authority" (John 7:17) and, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Here are two "shall know" promises. The first promises sure knowledge based upon the willingness of heart to know the truth. The second promises freedom and continued discipleship based upon abiding in the gained knowledge of truth. But what difference does this all make? Pilate, the weakling governor of Palestine, asked a question, apparently in what seems to have been utter frustration. As Jesus stood before him the Savior affirmed the fundamental reason why He came to the earth. Jesus declared, "For this cause came I into the world, to bear witness to the truth" (John 18:37). Pilate's frustrated response was, "What is truth?" It is by no means certain whether that response should be in the form of a question or an exclamation. The weak and wavering governor more than likely viewed truth as whatever anyone wanted it to be. Times change some things, but this attitude has been around a long, long time. It still exists and it probably always will. The popular attitude toward truth defrocks it's advocates, neutralizes it's power, undermines it's intended purpose, and destroys it's effectiveness. Such conditions make it impossible to prove anything in the realm of religious ethics and morals. The same attitude scoffs haughtily at any mention of doctrinal conformity. Try to prove that thievery is sinful and someone will find a ground for justifying certain forms of it. Try to show that adultery, homosexuality, and general sexual impurity is sinful, and you will hear things like "alternate lifestyles," "freedom of sexual expression," and "morals cannot be legislated." Nearly any rational thinker would finally admit, that if God is God, the Bible is the Word of God, and Jesus Christ is His only Son, morals and ethics have been legislated once for all time. But humanity is not interested in God's judgment--at least right now. But what difference does this all make? In the very crucial issues we face daily, the difference Truth makes as God views it, and as man has deformed it, is very obvious. The difference is basically the ultimate destiny of every accountable being who has ever lived on the earth. While we may seek to live by our own rules, we die by God's. We may live by our own set of norms now, but in the life beyond this one, we will be exactly and only where God Almighty determines we will be. He is the ultimate and final Judge of all and is thoroughly righteous in all His works. From His decision there is no appeal, and once His verdict is rendered, and the sentence pronounced, there will be no chance for reprieve. Wise people understand such plain facts and act accordingly. Foolish and unwise people blindly ignore it and travel blithely along with hardly a thought or care for their eternal destinies. If you can imagine a more serious tragedy, you haven't really thought this point through. Jesus described the final judgment as a shepherd dividing sheep from goats, "the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matthew 25:33). From this the Savior declared that the foolishly ignorant will "go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (verse 46). It really makes a drastic difference what we believe and how we express our faith religiously. The question is, therefore, not does it make any difference, but what is the difference it makes. Jesus came to establish one religion -- not multiple religions. He is the Son of the Almighty God and gives us a choice that makes all the difference in the world to each of us. We may either choose to obey Him, live by His standard, abide in His word, and be part of His church or we choose to die separated from Him in the infernal regions of everlasting, never ending, horrible punishment. That is the difference it makes. But how can I make it be the difference in my life? I can allow the faith I profess in Him to activate me to obey His every command. Faith is the foundation on which our life is to be built. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). Our relationship to Jesus is predicated on faith -- not faith only -- but faith in the fullest measure of its meaning and intent. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:22). Saving faith is produced by hearing the truth proclaimed. Paul wrote, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). If one listens to the popular creeds, ecclesiastical dictums, and religious opinions he will never come to saving faith. Saving faith is that which hears the word of Christ, obeys it implicitly, and love it intently. Faith produces repentance, another of the commands of Christ. Jesus said, "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Faith expresses itself in obedience to Christ Jesus' command to be baptized. Here is the real truth about baptism. Baptism is nothing more than a simple command issued by the Lord. There is nothing "holy" or "magic" about water -- it is found all over the world. It is just plain water. Submitting to baptism is faith impelling one to say, "Jesus said, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,' and I want to be saved, therefore I do not question or argue -- I will obey Him in baptism." Jesus (Mark 16:16). Will you, dear listener, make a difference for yourself right now in what is right and what is wrong? Please consider your eternal destiny and let faith from divine revelation be your chart and compass guiding you infallibly toward that which is pleasant, good, and unquestionably right. You will never regret making the right decision; you will spend eternity in deep remorse if you don't. If you have a question about this, or anything else you hear from us, please let us know. And if you want our paper, the Voice of West End, write a note or card to West End Church of Christ, 1609 Parkside Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42101 or call 842-7880. Thank you for being with us today. Remember to set your dial right here next Sunday at 8 a.m. Till then, God bless each of you and good bye. Radio Sermon No. 21, Page 1