## What Makes The Difference?

## Romans 3:22

Read: 2 Tim. 4:9-11

(ROM 3:22) "EVEN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WHICH IS BY FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST UNTO ALL AND UPON ALL THEM THAT BELIEVE: FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE:"

We are all made of the same stuff. All of us are spirit, soul, and body. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. All need to be saved. In that sense, "there is no difference."

Yet, some people succeed in living for the Lord Jesus Christ, and some fail. Some become outstanding Christians, and some fall by the wayside.

Luke was a faithful companion and coworker of the apostle Paul right up to the end. Mark deserted Paul at one time but returned and became a profitable help to him in the ministry. Demas turned from a life of useful service, having loved this present world. What was the difference? Why do some people make such progress after they are saved and continue to serve the Lord all their lives? Why do others experience shipwreck? I believe the difference is in a person's...

I. Delight In The Word Of God

(PSA 1:1-2) "BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY, NOR STANDETH IN THE WAY OF SINNERS, NOR SITTETH IN THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL. {2} BUT HIS DELIGHT IS IN THE LAW OF THE LORD; AND IN HIS LAW DOTH HE MEDITATE DAY AND NIGHT."

A. Not just READING it, but REJOICING in it.

1. We can read the Bible, and even memorize portions...

2. But there is no special blessing in just reading the Word.

3. Certainly when we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit can deal with us concerning our need, but there is no magic power in just reading.

B. Not just LISTENING to it, but LOVING it.

1. We must develop a love and respect for God's Word.

2. Example of son to a father. I expect my sons to be more than hearers.

(JAMES 1:22) "BUT BE YE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, DECEIVING YOUR OWN SELVES."

C. Not just getting INSTRUCTED by it, but also getting INSPIRED by it.

1. The Word of God should move us to action.

2. Knowledge without action is useless.

3. If doctors discovered a cure for cancer in the laboratory, but did nothing else we would cry out against such foolishness.

4. What about when we, as believers, know what God expects but refuse to respond to Him?

(JAMES 4:17) "THEREFORE TO HIM THAT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN."

D. Not just TALKING about it, but THINKING about it day and night.

1. We are not about what we say, we are about what we think!

2. Paul called on us to be renewed in our mind!

3. Our thinking is what must be changed, not just our talk.

(MAT 15:8) "THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOURETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS; BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME."

What is the difference in failure and success in the Christian life? I believe it is in a person's

I. Delight In The Word Of God

II. Dedication To The Way Of God

(PSA 119:32) "I WILL RUN THE WAY OF THY COMMANDMENTS, WHEN THOU SHALT ENLARGE MY HEART."

A. Even if God's way doesn't seem profitable.

1. The world's philosophy of life centers on and around money.

2. "Show me the money!"

3. God never promised earthly wealth...He promised heavenly treasure.

4. He told the young ruler to give away all his wealth and follow Him.

(MARK 8:36) "FOR WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?"

B. Even if the God's way doesn't seem popular.

1. Going along with the crowd will take you places you shouldn't be.

2. Jesus talked about the broad way that leads to destruction and the narrow way that leads to life.

3. It has never been popular to be a Bible believing Christian!

(JOHN 15:18-19) "IF THE WORLD HATE YOU, YE KNOW THAT IT HATED ME BEFORE IT HATED YOU. {19} IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU."

(JAMES 4:4) "YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES, KNOW YE NOT THAT THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD IS ENMITY WITH GOD? WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD."

C. Even if God's way doesn't seem possible.

1. That is the way God chooses to work.

2. When it seems impossible, He gets all the glory! 3. It is the way of faith!

(MAT 19:26) "BUT JESUS BEHELD THEM, AND SAID UNTO THEM, WITH MEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE; BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE."

(PHIL 4:13) "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME."

What is the difference in failure and success in the Christian life? I believe it is also in a person's

I. Delight In The Word Of God

II. Dedication To The Way Of God

III. Desire For The Wisdom Of God

(JAMES 1:5) "IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM."

A. This means avoiding the way of the heathen.

(JER 10:2) "THUS SAITH THE LORD, LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN, AND BE NOT DISMAYED AT THE SIGNS OF HEAVEN; FOR THE HEATHEN ARE DISMAYED AT THEM."

(COL 2:8) "BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND VAIN DECEIT, AFTER THE TRADITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER CHRIST."

(PROV 14:7) "GO FROM THE PRESENCE OF A FOOLISH MAN, WHEN THOU PERCEIVEST NOT IN HIM THE LIPS OF KNOWLEDGE."

B. And it means asking for the wisdom from heaven.

C. Then we must apply God's wisdom to our heart.

What is the difference in failure and success in the Christian life? I believe it is also in a person's

I. Delight In The Word Of God

II. Dedication To The Way Of God

III. Desire For The Wisdom Of God

IV. Devotion To The Will Of God

(PSA 84:10) "FOR A DAY IN THY COURTS IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND. I HAD RATHER BE A DOORKEEPER IN THE HOUSE OF MY GOD, THAN TO DWELL IN THE TENTS OF WICKEDNESS."

A. Note the attitude of service here.

1. A door keeper is not a highly respected position in the eyes of many.

2. But the attitude is what is important.

3. Are we willing to submit to whatever God might have us do?

B. What about our attitude?

1. What would God have you to do with your life?

2. I am not just talking about surrender to some sort of a full time ministry.

3. God calls all of us to serve Him.

4. How are we serving Him?

The difference between success and failure in the Christian life can be traced to our

- Delight In The Word Of God
- Dedication To The Way Of God
- Desire For The Wisdom Of God
- Devotion To The Will Of God