Articles
Change
This is my favorite time of the year – the birds sing more cheerily, squirrels begin making nests for their young, blossoms begin to appear, grass turns green again. And warmth arrives, the warmth of sunshine so sorely missed during winter. All this had me thinking the other day about change, and how it brings a freshness and liveliness to the seasons of life, just like springtime. I began meditating on the different concepts in the Bible involving change. May I share them with you?
Repentance. The very idea conveys an abrupt transition from a self-centered heart to a God-centered heart. This is precisely what Peter meant when he told the Jews, “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Paul commanded the same to the idolatrous Athenians: “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). Indeed, this was Jesus’ own message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Regardless of how good and righteous we think we have been, all of us need to change in order to obey Jesus. Unless we do so, we will surely perish (Luke 13:3, 5).
Transformation. Once we resolve to change the overall direction of our lives, the journey of change continues. Every day we wake up, every moment we breathe, every decision we make needs to involve a transformation into Jesus’ image. This is what Paul meant in Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Renewing – there’s another related idea. In Christ we are continually made new when we put aside the worthless works of darkness and replace them with deeds of light – truthfulness, patience, sharing, edification, kindness, tenderness, forgiveness, and love (see Ephesians 4:17-5:2). What an awesome transformation, that we would once again reflect God’s image though we have tainted it with our sin!
Resurrection. Maybe this one doesn’t jump out at you as much, but consider Paul’s emphasis in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” In order to experience the full joys of heaven, our bodies must first overcome death and be transformed from mortal, weak, and dishonorable to something unimaginably glorious and powerful. This is our hope – we will be with the awesome God forever! One day, Jesus will “transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Philippians 3:21). I can’t explain what it will be like, but this I do know – this is a change you will not want to miss. No more suffering. No more pain. No more death. Yes, no more sin. Are you looking forward to this change?
Sometimes we don’t like change, though. We like it when it seems timely, convenient, or easy; but mostly we prefer to do what we’ve always done. I can think of many excuses people have used to resist the kind of change God requires of us. No – changing our hearts, minds, and lives is not always easy. Yes – there are many times we will fall. But do we really want to stay the way we are? In a life of hopelessness, selfishness, and emptiness? There is nothing for us here on earth that will ultimately satisfy what we really desire. God can dwell only with faithful people, humble people, and changed people.
The seasons are changing again, but are you?
