Can I Change? Should I?
In our lives, when things aren’t going as we desire, or when the things of life progress in directions in which we would rather they not, we might say “I should have changed this or that” as in doing so would have altered the outcome of the event being considered. This only works with things under our control. We know this in regard to weather. We have no control over the weather, but we can easily “change our minds” as to what to wear to accommodate the weather. Failure to do so in this example would only result in becoming wet, or excessively warm, or something like that, and in the great scheme of things, would it alter the courses of our lives?
There are things, however, that if not changed, indeed will change the course of one’s life. The choices we make all have consequences and these choices we make lead to certain destinations. Some of the choices made in this life are of much significance, while others are not. While it matters not what color of clothes one wears, but it could matter very much what one does while they are wearing them.
Change by definition is: “make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.” Some of the synonyms for change are: “alteration, modification, or transformation.” Perhaps we should ask ourselves how our choices are able to transform us or modify us, or do we need to be modified or transformed?
We will either conform to, or be transformed, as the Spirit had the apostle Paul inform the church at Rome. How one changes regarding the stimulus of the gospel is up to the individual. What The Spirit had Paul write in Romans 12:2 is proof not only that we can, but should change as God has directed in His Holy Word. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Too many today think that being good is all it takes for one to be pleasing in the eyes of God. Jesus, in Matthew 19:16-17, told a sincere young man that only God (the Father) is good. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. To keep the commandments of God is to obey Him. If one has not been doing so, change is required. This is why in Acts chapter 2, as the men gathered there who had heard the first gospel sermon in the New Testament age asked “Men and brethren, what shall we do? “, the inspired response found in verse 38 required change. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repentance requires change as it is a “turning from” sin and worldliness, and turning toward God. This is the change that is required in obedience to the gospel. Unless this change takes place, and unless one fully obeys the gospel, the change from a lost, to a saved soul cannot take place. All should seek this change. This is also what was conveyed in 1Corinthians 6:9-11 as Paul wrote to them as the Spirit directed. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
But what about one who has obeyed the gospel? Do we not ever need to change? Once we become Christians by being baptized into Christ, are we allowed to remain at that point and never change? If so, what are we to do with passages such as Ephesians 4:23? And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Is not renewal here change? This same sentiment is described in 2Corinthians 4:16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Is not growth change? Of course it is! This is why the Spirit had Peter, in 2Peter 2:2 write: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”. And the Spirit directed Peter to write to mature Christians in 2Peter 3:18, they needed to continue to change by growing.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. The Christian is to try to always “change”, by growing in the correct way.
Can you change? That is entirely up to you. Should you change? Well, if you have not obeyed the gospel, and if you are ready to spend eternity in Hell, you shouldn’t change. But, if you want to spend eternity with God, you must change, and obey the gospel. If, having obeyed the gospel and having become a child of God, you haven’t been growing toward maturity in Christ, and you desire to go to heaven, you should definitely change. Why not do as the latter part of Philippians 2:12 tells us? . . .work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Can you change? Should you? If so, let us help as we show you how through God’s Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
