BE READY FOR A CHANGE!

17th JULY 2022

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God – Romans 12:2

Everything in the world will change, except three things; Change itself, God and His word. That is because God is the ultimate perfection, and He is immutable. (Malachi 3:6). God wants us to be like Him in character traits such as love, mercy, kindness, justice, and wisdom. Indeed, God does not change, but His methods of dealing with human beings have significantly changed. For instance, shifting us from the old to the new covenant was a great change brought to mankind by the unchangeable God. While the old ways have significantly changed to the new way of life, God remains who He is in character and essence.

Further to the above, while we say God does not change, our understanding of God is changing by the day according to each person’s spiritual evolution.  That is what Apostle Paul tries to explain in 1 Corinthians 13:9-11 when he says;

 “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Therefore, as Paul says above, we tend to develop spiritually with each passing day. It gets to a level when our understanding of God becomes appreciable and meaningful. That is the reason the Old Testament practically gave way to the New Testament – Bringing mankind to a better understanding of the Divine Spirit of God, which manifested as Jesus Christ. Therefore, the personality of Jesus Christ gives us a better understanding of the character of God. Also, all humans, in gaining perfection will eventually become like Jesus Christ in character and in essence. That is the significant change that awaits every believer! 

As we see in today’s scripture, the Christian life is an ongoing series of changes. As we grow in knowledge, faith and holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14) we grow in Christ to become like Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). Becoming like Jesus requires a great change, which means we should be willing to change our minds and lifestyles to meet God’s standards.  The first step you take when you are born again is the step from the darkness of ignorance to the threshold of light where you behold the light of Christ in purity and holiness. As you grow in the light of Christ, old things begin to give way to a newer understanding and comprehension of God. Your understanding comes with power and change to your psychic and physical bodies. Your previous understanding also begins to shift to a better way of thinking and to act so much resembling the attitude and character of Jesus Christ.

A better understanding of God gives you a better understanding of life and how to live life in holiness and fulfilment. Your prayer life and points would also start to change along the pattern of the will of God for your life. Therefore, the idea of praying to change God’s will is presumptuous.  Jesus set the example of prayers in the garden of Gethsemane when He prayed for God’s will to be done, not his own will. Perhaps prayer should be used not to change God’s will but to discover his will, and then conform our will to His.

Change is fundamental in life to enable us to achieve success. But people refuse positive changes because they believe they will lose something of value, and  fear that they may not adapt to the new ways brought about by change. Yes, usually, changes come with pain. But change becomes excruciating when we wrestle with God’s will. Jesus makes us understand that the will of God leads us to His glorification. When we embrace change by riding on the wings of God’s will, we get to our destination in time. Although the journey might be turbulent, but with faith in God, and believing in His holy will for us, the journey of life becomes easier by His grace.

 When we embrace a change with a positive attitude, we learn to let go of our past ways and become flexible. We learn to adapt to new people, environments, roles, and situations. In the long run, being flexible leads to more happiness and less stress. Change allows us to move forward in life and experience new and exciting things. 

PRAYER

In the name of Jesus Christ, Father grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

FURTHER READING: Proverbs 6:22; Psalm 25:5