But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
I don’t suppose there is a greater example of the difference that God makes, than the one of the two thieves crucified next to Christ on Calvary’s mountain. Both thieves hung an equal distance from the Lord Jesus on their prospective crosses. Both had heard, seen and experienced all the things that had transpired in the hours before their death. Both men were desperately wicked. Both were suffering painfully and profoundly. Both men had disrespectfully reviled against the blessed Savior. Both of them were dying. Both of these notoriously wicked criminals needed forgiveness. Yet one was shown mercy and the other died hardened and unrepentant.
What made the difference? Paul clarifies that question by asking, “For WHO makes one to differ from another?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) It was God WHO made the difference. If there is any difference made in sinners, it will be the sovereign Lord who makes it. This crucified thief had lived no life of morality beforehand, and he would certainly have no active life of godly service afterward. He had never respected the law of man or the law of God. He had performed no good work that would recommend God’s mercy and grace toward him. The only difference was the difference that God’s grace and mercy in Christ made. How could anyone deny that salvation is of the Lord? If you could ask Pharaoh WHO put a difference between Egypt and Israel he could tell you. How so? The Lord made him to know. Has the Lord made this known to you? If He ever saves you He will!
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