Change

Change can be good or it can be bad, depending on the circumstances. Nevertheless, change seems to be viewed by many, both in religion and politics, as a good thing regardless of the circumstances.

For whatever reason, some get the idea that "we need to change things" and others follow like ducks or sheep. Politicians run on the promise of “change.” Some religious writers (change agents) seek to change, in virtually every way, the Lord’s church as described in the New Testament as well as the doctrine of Christ that is practiced by faithful Christians.

Does our country need the change that is currently being promoted? Are churches better off, i.e., closer to the pattern (Heb 8:5) of the one church we read about in the New Testament, as a result of the changes that have occurred in many of them?

The wise man, evidently speaking of unnecessary change, or change that is of no profit, said, "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:” (Prov. 24:21). It is certainly wise to change for the better, but we must have nothing to do with the efforts to change things that God established. The above passage may be directed at those who believe, teach and practice doctrines different from the faith once delivered to the saints, and applicable to innovations that affect the organization and worship of the church.

Jeremiah asked, “Why do you go about so much to change your way?” (2:36 NKJV). The Israelites were looking for help in the wrong places. The same is true today of those who seek to change their way religiously by ignoring the teaching of God and condoning and following the practices of men.

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day set up false witnesses who said, "For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us" (Acts 6:14). The efforts of Jesus resulted in change—the most notable being the change of the Law (Heb. 7:12); but Jesus cannot be compared to the change agents of our day. He said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matt. 5:17-19).

Some of the most ungodly and blatant changes of our day include marriage and unnatural affections—men with men and women with women (Ro 1:22-32). Our Creator instituted marriage for men and women—beginning with Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve (Gen. 2:20-24). Homosexuality was listed in the category of sins that were said to make those guilty “worthy of death” (Rom. 1:32). We have changed from the way God intended marriage to the way man wants it; and promoters of this change, including our President, his administration and his supporters, are succeeding in promoting their agenda in the area of public opinion, legislation and judicial activism.

Man should realize that regardless of the changes we make in that which God has set up, HE will never change. Mal 3:6: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Those inclined to make changes contrary to the will of God should be aware that sin brings about change—change which they ought not to find exciting or stimulating. "As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame" (Ho 4:7).

When man becomes rebellious and refuses to look to God and his ways, he will force God to make a change that the change agent surely will not appreciate. To such people Jesus said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:5).

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