People of Consequence

Last week, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas came to Hillsdale to teach a seminar on the Constitution. He also participated in an open question-and-answer session, which I attended. In talking of the pettiness of politicians, he said something to the effect that "people of consequence should do things of consequence." And it struck me that Christians should do things "of consequence" and concern themselves with things "of consequence." And why? Because we have been made People of Consequence.

Sure, in our natural state, we are dreadful, selfish beings. The God of the universe lacks nothing and yet deserves all praise and honor from his creation, deserves undivided devotion and service. But we trade our birthrights on a daily basis, committing the ultimate treason against a holy God. Through our actions we often show to the world what our hearts keep secret, that we find more satisfaction in earthly treasures than in the majesty of God. And that is treason. For "who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?" (Psalm 113:5-6)

But there is hope in the Redeemer. Though we have nothing to offer to God, he has given us everything, for "has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading." (1 Peter 1:3-4) There is for those who are in Christ a "eternal weigh of glory beyond all comprehension" (2 Corinthians 4:17) in heaven. Those whom Christ has redeemed have been reconciled to God and made his children and "fellow heirs with Christ." We have put on Christ's righteousness and now live in his power- and that makes us People of Consequence.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) What are we afraid of? Certainly, on our own we have nothing in which to boast, but in Christ we have everything- all power, all wisdom, all patience, all boldness, all love, all JOY. "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." (Jermiah 9:23-24) We are promised that if we "walk in the way in which he walked" (1 John 2:6) we will be persecuted, but we do not "preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord." (2 Corinthians 4:5) So we should not be surprised at trials nor should we fear them, but we ought to rest in God's provision.

Not only that, God made his children People of Consequence for a mission. In fact, the whole of history attests to God's mission to save his people. Though Christ's work on the cross is finished, the harvest is not yet complete, and God has seen fit for his people to carry on his mission to the nations here on earth. We are People of Consequence who fight not against the flesh, but against the powers of darkness, possessing the power of the Most High to work within and through us. And our calling is neither optional nor to be taken lightly. We are to be a light to the world around, ever testifying to the supremacy and love of our God through our speech and actions through evangelism. We are called to love the church and ever strive to build her up in Christ. And we are called to the great joy of participating in God's mission to the nations, that they may rejoice in his name, whether through support or through actually going to the mission field.

So what are we doing, today, right now, where we are at? Are we living in the reality that we are a people, redeemed by Jesus' blood and called to minister to others in his name? Do we daily consider our actions in light of the gospel and God's mission? Are we throwing off everything in our lives that hinder us from a life of service and devotion to God? What are we living and dying for? Is it Christ?

God has made us People of Consequence, so let us live and die that our lives may be of consequence for his kingdom by his grace. "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ." (Philippians 3:8)