What Difference Do You Make? by “Brother Bill”
You are the salt and light. What difference do you make in other’s walk with our lord?
Matthew 5:13–14 (NKJV)
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
Are You are a worker in God’s field.
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV)
“For we are God’s fellow workers…”
Below is a clear, biblical, NKJV-based explanation of:
1.Why humiliation or humility is necessary before transformation
2.What it means to be crucified in the flesh
3.What it means to work out your salvation
4.What sanctification is
1. Why Must We Be Humiliated (or at Least Humble) Before We Are Willing to Be Transformed?
Because pride blocks grace, and humility opens the door to God’s transforming work.
God cannot fill a heart that is full of self until he empties it.
James 4:6 (NKJV)
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
‘God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.’”
Pride = resistance from God.
Humility = access to grace.
Brokenness makes us surrender.
Many people will not change until they hit a point of breaking. Sooo when you meet them there send them to Jesus the greatest healer of wounds.
Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
Brokenness = openness.
Humbling comes before lifting.
1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV)
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
Transformation requires bowing before God so He can raise us up into Christ’s likeness.
2. Why Must We Be Crucified in the Flesh?
Because the flesh cannot be reformed—only crucified.
The flesh and the Spirit cannot coexist in control.
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another…”
Crucifixion of the flesh is required for life in Christ.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
Belonging to Christ requires killing the old nature.
Galatians 5:24 (NKJV)
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Crucifixion of the flesh =
• saying “no” to sinful desires
• surrendering control
• allowing Christ to live through you.
3. What Does It Mean to Work Out Your Salvation?
This does NOT mean “earn” salvation.
It means live it out, walk it out, and cooperate with God’s ongoing work in you.
Work out = obey, pursue, cooperate
Philippians 2:12–13 (NKJV)
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Two truths:
1.You work it out (your responsibility)
2.God works in you (His power)
You don’t work for salvation, but you work out what God has put in from obedience to his indwelling spirit and a great full heart.
Examples of “working it out”:
• resisting sin
• obeying God’s promptings
• forgiving quickly
• renewing your mind
• repenting when convicted
• submitting your will to Jesus
It is a daily cooperation with God’s Spirit. Sooo Al else is being double minded.
4. What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification = the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ and less like the world.
A Process:
John 17:17 (NKJV)
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Sooo are you an obedient truth seeker?
The Word cleanses and sets apart.
A Purifying Work of the Spirit:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
“…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”
The Spirit purifies.
Truth transforms.
A Daily Separation From Sin
1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV)
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.” Sooo While we cannot be innocent in Christ we can become pure.
Sanctification touches behavior, motives, and desires.
A Life of Growing Holiness set apart from conformity to the world.
1 Peter 1:15–16 (NKJV)
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”
Sanctification is holiness in motion.
