Scriptures about change
We grow in Christ (2 Peter 3:18), and growth requires change.Įven good changes can be uncomfortable and scary.
#SCRIPTURES ABOUT CHANGE SERIES#
The Christian life is an ongoing series of changes as we grow in knowledge, faith, and holiness (1 Peter 1:16 Hebrews 12:14). As the Holy Spirit works within us, we find that “the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our values and actions change to line up with God’s Word. Once we are “ in Christ,” everything changes. Repentance and faith in Christ is God’s avenue of change to restore us to Himself. So He took steps to redeem us from our sin-we are powerless to change ourselves in that regard-and He sent His only begotten Son to save us. His love for humanity and desire for fellowship with them remained the same. Change had come, and it was not a good change.Įven when mankind fell into sin, God did not change. In our sin, we lost our perfect environment and were left to wrest survival from an unforgiving planet (Genesis 3:17–19). As a result, their environment changed, along with all of human history. But sin brought about a negative change that altered not only Adam and Eve’s behavior and thinking but also their very nature. Any change they experienced was good, as they tended the garden and learned more of God and of each other. When God created Adam and Eve, they were perfect, but mutable. Part of being created in God’s image is that human beings can think, reason, and come to conclusions distinct from physical or material realities (Genesis 1:27). In fact, God built into us the ability to change. God never changes, but people do: our bodies, brains, ideas, and values all change. This change from the Old Covenant to the New was needed, and it is wonderful, securing eternal life for those who trust in Christ (John 3:16–18). God’s holiness, His wrath against sin, and His extension of mercy did not change, but He did provide a better sacrifice for us: the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29 Hebrews 10:10). Under the terms of the New Covenant, the Son of God Himself became the sacrifice, and the old system, having served its purpose, became obsolete (Luke 22:20 Hebrews 9:11–14). For example, under the Mosaic Covenant, God declared that animals sacrificed in the manner He prescribed would atone for the sins of the people (Leviticus 4:23 9:2–13 Numbers 29:11). The methods He uses to deal with human beings have changed through the centuries, but the values and purposes behind those methods did not. God never changes, and nothing about Him changes: His character traits such as love, mercy, kindness, justice, and wisdom always exist in perfection. God’s quality of never changing is called immutability. He cannot change because He cannot be better than He already is and He cannot fail or become less than perfect, so He cannot become worse than He is. For God to change would mean that He either becomes better or worse, and God is ultimate perfection. Change means a move in another direction. “I, the Lord, never change,” God declares in Malachi 3:6. But should everything be open to change? The Bible gives us clear guidelines on what should change and what should stay the same. But many people believe we should also change our morals, ethics, and beliefs to accommodate changes in culture. We know we should change oil, lightbulbs, and dirty diapers. Every time a new politician steps into the ring, he promises change.