Change

We live in a world where (almost) everyone wants change. We want to see new
things, do new things, move to a new house, change jobs, learn new things,
experience new thrills, challenge ourselves to do things we have never done
before. Desiring change is not a bad thing, at least in regards to most
things.

One of the more familiar quotes we see from time to time is: "If you always
do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." (Doug
Caufmann). There is truth to that statement. If you keep doing things the
same way, you are not going to have change. Our society seems to think that
the lack of change is a bad thing, but is that always true? Now, I'm no just
being an "old foggy," who doesn't believe in change. I love change in my
life and expect it in our world. My wife and I have lived in 7 states as
well in Kenya, East Africa. We love to experience new things and different
people. We embrace change in our lives for the most part.

However (you knew there would be a disclaimer didn't you), I cannot and will
not embrace change to God's church or God's Word. I've been disappointed in
churches and church leaders throughout our land who want to try and make
changes to God's church. They go to extremes to try and make "church" more
palatable to our young folks who desire change. And, if they don't get the
change they want, they go somewhere they can find it. It's really not
surprising, we were warned about it a couple of thousand years ago when the
Apostle Paul wrote a young preacher, Timothy. Notice what he said, "For the
time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to
suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of
teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy_4:3)

Here is what we see happen so often. People who do not have a lot of
knowledge of God's word start to desire change. They want more services that
are more entertaining, something that makes them feel good. They approach
the leadership and demand change in the church. The leadership either caves
in to their request or they threaten to leave.

At some point we must realized that, yes, there are some things that we can
change, but there are some things that we dare not change. Why? Because God
gave us directions as to how things must be in His Word. He was not
mistaken, he did not communicate unclearly, he was not just kidding when he
told us what he wanted us to do. God doesn't think or act as we do as
humans.

We tend to forget what we are told in Numbers 23:19, that: "God is not
human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his
mind." God has given us clear directions regarding what is necessary for our
salvation. He it clear on what is morally and ethically acceptable. He is
clear about marriage and sexual relationships. He is clear about the worship
that is acceptable to him. These things are not given to change just because
or society has decided that they want them to change.

What about those who demand change to what God has already put into place?
Psalm 55:19 speaks of: "God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not
change, he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God.
You see, it all boils down to having a "fear" for God and His Word. (Hebrew
lit. "respect or fear to displease him").

Let me encourage you to be careful as to what you change rather than one day
standing before God and being brought to your knees in shame, (humbled).

Russ Lawson