When Do People Change?

Whether saved or unsaved, we all tend to change the same way.

It is usually when staying the same becomes intolerable.

This may be a job change, relationship change, character change, etc etc.

Such changes can of course be for good or ill.

It is one thing to change a girlfriend but another thing to try and change your spouse.

I think you get my point.

In the realm of spiritual change and maturity, we should be motivated to change because of:-

1. The good mercies of God:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

2. By conviction from God’s Word:

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11

3. After divine chastening:

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

4. Following intense suffering:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

5. Because of the patience of God’s people:

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 2 Timothy 2:24-25

However, like the woman with the issue of blood, we come to Christ when staying the same has become intolerable.

It is often not the ‘higher things’ that move us but the desire to flee the consequences that have come of our own making or that have come about simply because we live in a fallen world.

The tsunami of our own troubles comes and we head for the hills of God for refuge.

That is not bad, it is good, but mature believers know there is a better way.

Why don’t we ask God to change us today, by a few more degrees, into the image of His Son, because that will please Him rather than simply because it works out best for us?

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