What Difference Does it Make?

In 1st John chapter 2, the writer presents an overview of why we sin and what tempts us: 15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts ; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.   It's a critical component of our walk with Christ - knowing why we do what we do; the "whys" behind the what.   Examining our hearts to determine our motives can be incredibly helpful as we pursue holiness in our thoughts and actions.   As the Holy Spirit pinpoints those areas of love for the world and selfish desires, He enables us to experiencing His cleansing power - a repentant heart and confession of our sins to Him are steps in that cleansing process.   When we mess up, we can't just say, "oh well, what difference does it make?" and move on, living our lives in the same manner - we have to take seriously the thought and motive behind the action, so that we learn and grow.

James chapter 1 illustrates for us the progression of temptation and sin in our lives:
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God "; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin ; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

The good news is that God has provided a way out when we are tempted.   1st Corinthians 10 says:
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man ; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

The high-profile, high-tension committee hearings on the Benghazi, Libya consulate attack on Wednesday has yielded a phrase that perhaps will be played over and over again, analyzed and - of course, politicized.

Outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was being questioned by Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who was taking the Administration to task about the stories being circulated about the nature of the attackers and their motivation.   We all know the story - initially the attacks were blamed in this little-known, poorly-produced video that portrayed Mohammed in a negative light and characterized as a spontaneous occurrence by an angry mob.   The evidence is quite compelling that the deaths of 4 Americans in Benghazi was the result of a well-planned terrorist attack.   Here is the exchange:

JOHNSON: "...we were misled that there were supposedly protests and then something sprang out of that, an assault sprang out of that and that was easily ascertained that that was not the fact and the American people could have known that within days...And they didn’t know that.”

CLINTON: “With all respect, the fact is we have four dead Americans was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they’d go kill some Americans...What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, senator.”

The media has been abuzz about those words, "What difference does it make?"   Former ABC White House correspondent, now with CNN, Jake Tapper said that quote may appear in the 2016 campaign, used by Republican and Democratic opponents alike, if the enormously popular Mrs. Clinton seeks the presidency.

For the Christian, that line can challenge us regarding our motivation for taking certain action:  we have to examine what makes us do what we do, so that we can learn the lessons God wants to teach us.   For example, when we speak rudely or harshly, when we react in anger in a particular situation, we have to think, "why did I do that", accept the corrective action of the Holy Spirit, and rely on Him to empower us to not do the same thing again.   If we do not tell the truth in a situation, or embellish a story to make ourselves look good, we have to question: is that is really what God wants us to do?   So often we act erroneously, then we try to massage the narrative, and we go out and commit the same offense again - or something worse.   

We have been given power and authority over the power of sin...but, we do not exercise that power because we tolerate the sinful desires that operate in our hearts.   And, we can miss the mark, put some spin on it, not even recognize what we do is wrong, and slip into that pattern, without the power of repentance to short-circuit that power.   We do it all the time and never learn from our errors.   "What difference does it make?" - the "what" is very important, but the reasons "why" are critical, as well - we can be challenged to be truthful with ourselves, examine our hearts, and take God-inspired steps to eradicate sinful thoughts and actions from our lives.