There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:23-24)
This was now the fourth year in a row that our church has traveled to Southern Africa to work with Pastor Jacob and the Bethany Mission School and these annual visits have proved to be mutually encouraging for Christians in both hemispheres. (Rom. 1:12) Our goal all along has been to develop a true and lasting partnership and we are so pleased to see this coming to fruition.
One of the blessings of an on-going relationship (as opposed to a one-time visit) is that we get to know people. No longer do we think fondly of the “good people of Africa”, but now we remember and pray for our dear friends Jacob and Rena, Mike and Mandla, Emilia and Sofeso, Sergio and Boniface… And once that happens, we begin to realize that “there is no difference.”
NO DIFFERENCE IN OUR SIN
On the first trip, I was overwhelmed by their poverty and inspired by their faith. It left me challenged, but also a little discouraged that we Americans were not as steadfast and focused in our love and devotion to Christ. But after a few more visits, it became clear that their struggles with sin were not unlike our own. “We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) They are afflicted by the same conflicts, gossip, pettiness, greed, pride, lust, bitterness, addictions and all around faithlessness that consume us here in the West. These all may manifest themselves in different cultural forms, but it is the same sinful nature. Indeed, we are all Adam’s children! Here are just a few sordid tales from the mission field:
- One of the local pastors is exposed and removed for a significant moral failing and the congregation is devastated.
- A mother is greatly concerned about her teenage son’s trouble in school. He’s not doing his work and getting into fights…and this boy is one of the youth in the church.
- A leader in the community is overlooked at an event and takes great offense at an unintentional snub. He is finally appeased by bags of rice and a place of honor at the next meal.
- Gossip abounds regarding the intentions and character of some of the leaders in the church.
It would be tempting to just “wipe the dust off our feet” when we encounter such things…that is, until we realize that these are the same things that happen in our own homes, churches and communities. And then, we cry out: “Woe to us all!” There is no difference, but, praise God, this is not the only thing we have in common.
NO DIFFERENCE IN OUR SALVATION
Just as sin is powerful enough to destroy us all, the Gospel is powerful to save us all. Christ died for sinners from all nations and we have come to believe the same Gospel. In the midst of all these moral failings and spiritual weaknesses, we also witnessed undeniable proof of the power of the Gospel:
- An alcoholic completely delivered and transformed into a productive member of the church (now going on two years)
- A Muslim landowner’s wife, formerly suspicious of the mission, now a believer in Christ and filled with a completely new love for the community.
- A principal of a local school comes to salvation in Christ two years ago and still hungers for the Word. He also expresses great concern over the welfare of his students and requests a church be established in this community
- Hindu women, formerly enslaved by superstitions and idol worship, now free in Christ and attending the Mission School in hopes of spreading this good news to their neighbors.
Now this is mutual encouragement! If God can use broken and sinful people in Africa, He can use broken and sinful people in America…people just like you and me. Indeed, we are broken jars of clay, but we hold a priceless treasure! (2 Cor. 4)