A very powerful thought is recorded on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abbey.
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world. (Anonymous. Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul. Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen, 1996.)
That inscription reminds me of one of the most misunderstood incidents in the life of Christ, which occurred after His resurrection. Jesus had just told Peter that He would be bound and forced to go where he did not want to go when he was old. Peter looked around and saw John. He then asked, “But Lord, what about this man?” (John 21:21 NKJV). Jesus responded, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me” (John 21:22). John reported that a rumor came out of the exchange between Peter and the Lord which said that disciple would not have to die (John 21:23). Of course, the Lord did not say John would not have to die. Instead, he was trying to let Peter know that he should focus on his own relationship to the Lord and let the Lord deal with others, like John.
To be a highly successful Christian, I must determine to take responsibility for myself. Paul told the saints at Rome, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). In his second letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle gave a little more insight into the day of accounting. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (5:10). No wonder he went on to command them to, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified” (13:5).
Avoiding disqualification will require me to plant the right kind of seed (actions) in my life. As Paul told the churches of Galatia, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (6:7-8).
Nathan, my son, has always enjoyed working in the garden with his granddaddy. One year, he got his granny to send some seeds home from the garden so he could plant them at our house. Of course, his mother and I forgot all about them. When spring came, Nathan asked about the seeds. Teresa found the old pill bottle containing the seeds from granddaddy’s garden. Nathan assured me they were watermelon seeds. Though they did not look like any watermelon seeds I had ever seen, we planted them in mounds the appropriate distance apart. Sure enough, vines began to grow after a short time. Then, came blooms and, later, a slowly elongating green fruit. After several more weeks, we had some of the finest inedible gourds you have ever seen!
Why did we not get the watermelons for which Nathan had his appetite whetted? We did not plant the right kind of seed! Similarly, those who want to go to Heaven and attain the Christian’s ultimate “success” must plant and cultivate the good works of the Spirit in our lives! I cannot expect to plant a selfish, worldly life and reap everlasting life in Heaven.
It seems many people today, as well as in the past, like to blame others for their failures. Flip Wilson, the comedian, used to say, “The devil made me do it.” For others, it is their parents, teachers, society, an inherited defect, environment and hundreds of other things that are to blame for their misdeeds. Rather than blame his upbringing, Paul wrote, “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief… This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:13, 15). He encouraged his brothers and sisters in Philippi to take a similar attitude by writing, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (2:12).
Rather than waste my time trying to change the world, I need to take responsibility for myself. When I do, there is a very real possibility that I will positively impact my family. Through them, I can improve my community. An improved community will certainly make my nation better and, if God wills, it can change the world!
