Have you ever wondered what it would take to make a real difference in someone’s life? It’s not a hard question. Yet, most don’t ever think about it. The real problem is we are consumed with ourselves. So, how can we make a difference? The life of Christ gives us the answer to this question. He was a servant.
Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords came to serve, not to be served! Here, we have the perfect example of God becoming a man so He could make a difference in our lives. The difference was not just for eternity but for the here and now.
Philippians 2:6 7 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
What drove this desire to make a difference? It was love.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
This is real love. It was a sacrificial love. Do you love others this way? We are to love so that our desires are not at the forefront of our minds. A love that sees a need and immediately tries to meet the need. A love that says. “I have,” “you need,” “it’s yours.”
Jesus saw our greatest need was salvation. A salvation that would change our destiny for all eternity. God is holy and can not allow sin into heaven. We are sinners. The only answer is that someone had to pay the price for our sins. Jesus stepped out of heaven for that purpose, not to be a hero but a lover of our souls. To make it possible for us to gain a gift we don’t deserve. To make it possible for us to have a relationship with Him. A relationship with people who are His enemies. Jesus knew before time began that He was the only way to Heaven, the problem, most don’t believe He is the answer. They don’t understand this kind of love.
Real love is how we, too, can make a difference. Go out of your way to do something for someone else. Love is not based on convenience; it is based on a desire to please someone else, to meet a need, without expecting anything in return.
If you give expecting something in return, even a thank you, your motivation is not true love. It is selfish. Examine your heart. Seek to serve selflessly, not selfishly. Do all that you do for an audience of one.
When people feel this kind of love, it will make a difference. You may not see a change, but there is an effect. True love causes people to stop and ask why. Why did that person buy me a tank of gas? Why did they bring me food? Why are they being so nice to me?
When so much of the world runs wildly for self, a kind word or deed will not go unnoticed. I’ve had people ask me why I cared. Why did I do a specific benevolent act? I was able to respond because of the love of Christ.
Make a difference today simply for the love of Christ. Don’t expect anything in return, not even a thank you. I hope you get a “thank you,” but their gratitude should be a surprise, not an expectation. We must keep doing until our hearts and minds serve simply for the love of Christ!
