The greatest gap in the world is between what we do and what we are capable of doing. That isn’t simply some “positive slogan” to post on your wall, desktop or social media outlet of choice. It’s a simple fact for every Christ follower. What do I base that on? This.
“Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
The implications of this are staggering. This verse has a lot to say to us, but here are the three big takeaways–what it says about God, what it says about us (those who have been adopted into God’s family through grace) and what it says about the world.
1. What it says about God–God is greater. I have spent the past 26 years working in the Arab Muslim World. The expression “Allahu Akbar” is used constantly–often as Muslims see themselves acting in the name of God. I believe every Jesus follower wholeheartedly believes at an intellectual level that God is greater than everything else. After all, if He isn’t, why would I choose to give him my life?
However, there is a difference between mental assent and true belief. I might believe a bridge over a ravine is strong enough to carry people from one side to the other, but true belief is demonstrated when I make the choice to put my own life on the line by walking across that bridge myself.
My belief that God is greater, not simply great, is proven when I choose to trust him with every area of my life. I’m facing several circumstances right now in which I need God to prove that He is greater. I don’t just need him to be great. I need him to be greater. I know he is at one level, and his greatness is not diminished by our lack of belief, but the implications of his greatness in my life is highly impacted by whether or not I simply choose to trust him with everything.
2. What it says about me–I’m different. Amy and I were privileged to visit the beautiful country of Yemen a few years ago. The friends we were visiting there owned and operated a coffee shop in order to provide a way of bringing spiritual and economic transformation to the people and the city in which they lived. Our friends were gracious enough to not only host us in their home, but they also gave us a wonderful tour of the city they had chosen to make their home. While driving through the city one day, they pointed out another coffee shop. It was a coffee shop called Star Bunnies. Yes, you guessed it. Not only had they ripped off the Starbuck’s branding, but they had also stolen Bugs Bunny from Warner Brothers. Not only were they illegally using the Starbuck’s logo, but inside of it, where there would normally have been the Starbuck’s mermaid, a green and white version of Bugs Bunny was present. However, the strangest thing about their logo was the slogan that encircled the pirated images. It read, “We aren’t the best, but we’re different.” All I could do was scratch my head as I read it. I guess something got lost in translation!
Some people take great pride in their differences. They even make them their identity. However, what makes a Jesus-follower unique isn’t who they are but who dwells inside of them. This verse very powerfully and succinctly lays out two very important truths. First, while I may live in this world, I’m expected to live and think differently. When highly-talented, goal oriented, non-Christ-followers attack a problem, they often make a lot of progress. However, they’re out there on there own. We have “the Greater” living inside us. The Holy Spirit could have chosen to focus John’s thoughts on God’s comforting presence, His love, etc. when he penned this thought, but instead, He chose to point us to God’s power. We aren’t just different. We are power stations.
However, here’s the uncomfortable question. If we are receptacles of “the Greatest,” then why do so many Jesus-followers live defeated lives, seemingly unable to make a difference in themselves, much less the world? The answer isn’t that complicated. While we are power stations, power has to be released in order to be of any value. It doesn’t matter if my home is hooked up to the local electricity system if I choose to live in darkness. I have to actually turn on the stitch in order to expel the darkness. So it is in my life. I have to be willing to stop relying simply on myself and start relying on God if I’m going to release God’s promised power in my life. That doesn’t mean I just sit around waiting for God to show off His power. I actually have to do something. I have to demonstrate my trust in His power by attempting to do something I couldn’t do on my own. That’s the greatest Gap–the difference between what we could do and what we actually do.
3. What it says about the world–it isn’t as strong as we think. I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to be intimidated by the world’s power, authority, and influence. It’s also easy to be overwhelmed by the lostness and brokenness we encounter every day. Half the world’s population has never heard an understandable presentation of the gospel. And then there are the giants of poverty, child abuse, family dysfunction, domestic violence, abuse of power, human trafficking, etc. These seem overwhelming. After all, I’m just one person, and these problems seem so great. However, their greatness is insignificant when compared to His greatness. They are great. He is greater. We may be weak in ourselves, but “the greatest” lives inside of us. It’s time we turned on the lights.
What great challenges are you facing today? What would you do today if you were assured that God would act on your behalf? What do you need to stop doing and start believing? It’s time we narrow the gap.