CENTRAL THOUGHT
The believer should be light to the dark world.
TEXT: PROV. 4:20-27; ROM. 12:1-3; 2 COR. 6:14-18
INTRODUCTION:
Be the difference in another rendering means “be ye separate”. The world today is swallowed up in falsehood, deceit, vanity, corruption, and evil. This has been since the fall of man; evidenced in the incident of the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:2-8) and now on the increase because of the technological development and as a fulfillment of Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:1-5). It takes the understanding of the Word of God and His grace for the believer to “be the difference” and be separated to God. This study will help the believer to answer the call of God to “be the difference” and thus be separated to Him.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1. To know the meaning of “be the difference”
2. To understanding how to be the difference
3. To identify those ingredients that will help one to be the difference
4. To highlight the danger of refusing to be the difference
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE INJUNCTION “BE THE DIFFERENCE” 2 COR. 6:14-18
“Be the difference” in the dictionary context is making someone or something peculiar from another i.e “not like something, someone, or not like before”, “the condition of being unlike, dissimilar, or diverse”. The believer is said to be different, when he/she is not doing what others are doing that are not in line with the word of God, such as in thought, word, or action. Such a person adheres strictly to Biblical standards and not what is done “in our Church”.
QUESTION 1B) WHY ARE WE ENJOINED TO “BE THE DIFFERENCE”? Matt. 5:13-14
The believer is enjoined to “be the difference” in order to illuminate, season, and preserve the earth. This means that the believer is to preserve his/her generation, and point the people to God here on earth. He/she gives taste to the dying world and seasons the co-believer for effective service.
QUESTION 1C) WHERE ARE WE TO “BE THE DIFFERENCE”? Eph. 5:11-12
Simply put, the believer is called to “be the difference” anywhere he/she finds themselves/ at salvation the believer is spiritually separated from the world i.e being freed from sin, the world, and the “unfruitful works of darkness”. Furthermore, he reads the Word daily, prays, and follows the Lord who has become his/her Master, and fellowships with brethren for spiritual growth. This helps him/her not to look back or go back to the world. It helps for continual trust in God and hope for eternity. In these last days also, the believer has to: be the difference” among members of the church (2 Tim. 3:1-5). “… set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, faith, and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
QUESTION 2) HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILDREN TO “BE THE DIFFERENCE” IN OUR SOCIETY? GEN. 18:17-19; DEUT. 6:7-9, PROV. 22:6
It is the responsibility of parents, especially in Christian homes, to assist their children to be the difference in our corrupt society. There are many ways of helping them, a few of which are: a.) Living by example: An adage says “example is the best teacher”. Parents should prove their faith in God by total obedience to God’s word in the very presence of their children. “… I know him, that he will command his children…” Gen. 18:17-19, God said of Abraham. This is exactly what God is demanding from parents. b.) Studying the Scriptures: One can only know the mind of God through the study of the Bible. 2 Tim. 2:15 says “study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Approval only comes from God who knows the sincerity of every man’s heart. God has made parents a “workman” who is not to be ashamed. The word will first be in the heart of parents before they can teach their children both at home and outside (Deut. 6:6-9). Parents should take note of vs. 8 “And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand and the word shall be as frontlets before your eyes”. It is when these are carried out that the children will be able to follow suit. c.) Children’s education:Parents should endeavor to give their children good quality education with solid spiritual foundation in order to put them in a position to always make the difference.
QUESTION 3) IDENTIFY THE MAIN INGREDIENT THAT WILL HELP US TO BE DIFFERENT IN THIS WORLD. PROV. 4:20-23
The major ingredient that will help us to be different in this world is proper attendance to the word of God. “if you will receive my word and hide my commandment with thee…, incline your ear unto my wisdom; apply your heart to understanding… if you cry after knowledge… seek her as silver and search for her as for his treasure, then you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge as understanding” (Prov. 2:1-6). When a believer diligently attends to God’s word, he/she will understand the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom. He will get the knowledge of God and also understand the way of God. These will help the believer to obey in totality the word of God which is better than any sacrifice. It gives the believer the strength to carry his/her cross without following the way of the majority.
QUESTION 4) HOW CAN WE “BE THE DIFFERENCE” IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
A.) In business, market, school, lifeProv. 10:4,12,24; 1 Tim. 6:6-12: 1 Cor. 15:33The “virus” that kills business is slothfulness. The Christian businessman has to be diligent and hard working to excel. Being diligent involves knowing the economic value of one’s business plan such as knowing when to buy goods and when not to buy. In academic activities, the believer should not be lazy but serious and hard working. Lobbying, giving bribes, copying in examinations, or taking a mercenary to do the exam and buying the certificate should not be mentioned among believers.
B.) Family life (as children, parents, wards)Eph. 5:22-30; 6:1-8This means living in harmony as a family. There should be love, submission, obedience, and nurture. A family can only make the difference when every member knows his/her responsibility as they all have duties to perform to one another.
C.) The way we talk, dress, behave, etc.Prov. 10:4-5; Phil. 4:5; 1 Tim. 2:9. Although the Scripture does not specify uniforms to designate who a believer is, yet the standard of the word of God teachers us how to dress as God’s dear children. While being out of fashion does not take one to heaven, being fashionable is equality not a prerequisite for it. Moderation and covering of one’s nakedness is God’s standard for Christian dressing. The appearance, speech, and conduct of an individual suggests what spirit he/she possesses or his/her lifestyle. It should be noted that a good personal appearance characterized by decency and modesty of dress remains God’s standard of dressing. “For the world is surely going to pass away with its fashion”.
D.) In the society 1 Tim. 6:6-12; Psa. 1:1-2; Rom. 12:1-2The society is full of deceit, evil, jealousy, corruption, the love of money, fame, and position. These have eaten up godliness and righteousness, it then takes the grace of God for the determined ones to be separated from these vices. “But ye O man of God, flee from these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith… and has professed a good profession before many witnesses”.
E.) In church The believer that desires to “be the difference” in the church should not forget “the rapture of the saints” which can take place anytime. Right from origin only few people have been selected and at the rapture only the separated ones will be caught-up to meet the Lord in the air. The separated ones in the Church are those that desire heaven more than the pleasures of life.
QUESTION 5) WHAT ARE THE DANGERS IN FOLLOWING THE MULTITUDE IN OUR WORLD?There are many dangers of not making the difference in our world. Firstly, such believer is living in disobedience to God’s word “…but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing…” (Matt. 5:13). No believer living in disobedience can please God or genuinely serve God. Secondly, Such believer is not separated unto God and therefore stands at the risk of not spending eternity in God’s presence.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
When the believer obeys the injunction “be the difference”, the society and the world at large will be impacted by the power of God through the shining light of his life. This is God’s will, that we be the salt of the earth and the light of this world. Child of God, be the difference today, love God and not the world, and live for Him.
MEMORY VERSE:
ROMANS 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MON: Reflect on 2 Cor. 6:14-18
TUE: You are called to be “salt” and “light” in this age. Matt. 5:13-14
WED: Let Christ shine on you. Eph. 5:11-12
THU: Gove attention to the word of God. Pro. 4:20-23
FRI: Have godliness with contentment. 1 Tim. 6:6-12
SAT: Be not conformed to this world. Rom. 12:1-2; Ps. 1:1-2