“For who maketh thee to differ from another?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
To make a difference we must be different. God calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light to be a sign and wonder to those who only know one way. The way of this world is oppression, obsession, and aggression. Before Christ comes into our life, we are no different than anyone else. We take when we’re not given to. We rage when we’re wronged. We strike back when we’ve been hurt.
If there is any difference, it is only a difference of degree. God explicitly tells us to point the finger at no one but ourselves. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” (Rom. 2:1) This is not to say standards of right shouldn’t exist. What it does mean is we should address the beam in our own eye first if we are to help another with the mote in theirs.
The world has seen enough of those who profess Christ. Each generation waits for those who possess Christ. He comes into our lives to make a difference in us, and then in the world around us. We are salt that has lost its savor; light under a bushel; and “good for nothing,” if we are conformed to the world. In the deepest part of our being God is calling us to transformation into the image of His Son. Be different from the sin-ravaged world that surrounds you. In your heart of hearts become like your beautiful, glorious Lord.