You have probably noticed that life does not continually stay the same.
Changes often take place in the course of a person’s life. We grow older. We lose those we love as family and friends. Our health can change in an instant.
Some changes we go through may actually improve our life. A better job or a higher wage may take place. You may see your family grow as a new addition comes along. The economy may improve. A time of peace might occur instead of a time of war.
Changes in your personal life may not be the only change that comes along.
A cry for change is being heard in our nation today, as well as in many other nations of this world. Some of the changes may be of a harmful nature, while others might be considered good, positive and helpful.
In some situations, people will endeavor to resist change. It is not easy for people to change the way they have been accustomed to living. To embrace a new way of living may bring major changes to our existence. Such circumstances may greatly affect our lives and those around us.
This will be especially true concerning spiritual matters. In religion we must be sure of our direction. But from a close study of the Bible, we learn that if there are changes or improvements that are necessary in order to have a closer walk with God, we should not resist.
Several examples of such changes are given by way of commandment in Ephesians 4. Writing to the Christians at Ephesus, Paul wrote, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. ‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (verses 25-32).
There are also several Bible examples of people who were willing to make changes in their lives in order to please God. Ruth turned from the idol gods her people worshiped, and instead worshipped the true and living God of heaven (Ruth 1:16). Matthew the tax collector left his work in order to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9). Zacchaeus, also a tax collector, was looking for Jesus. When he met Jesus, his life was changed (Luke 19).
The prodigal son changed from a life of sinful behavior to go back to his father’s house (Luke 15).
Saul of Tarsus gave up his persecution of the church in order to become a servant of Jesus (Philippians 3:5-8). Men such as the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) and Cornelius (Acts 10) were already religious men.
But when they found their religion to be incorrect, they were willing to change in order to please God.
In Acts 19, we read of twelve men who had already been baptized of John’s baptism. But when they learned that their baptism was no longer acceptable to God, they immediately wanted to be baptized into Christ. These and many other Bible examples are of men and women who needed to make great changes in their lives, and were willing to do so in order to obey God.
The Psalmist wrote, “I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments” (Psalm 119:59-60). A spiritual self-examination is important as we compare our lives to the Bible’s teachings. But there will be little value in such a self-examination if we are not willing to correct the faults that are discovered.
While carefully searching the Scriptures, many things will be learned that will help us be sure to render true obedience to the Lord.
An individual may have been satisfied in the past concerning their former life, or even a former obedience.
But if after a more complete study of God’s word that individual finds their former obedience is not the same as the New Testament teaches, the changes that must be made should not be ignored nor delayed (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).