change…

We talked about the inevitability of change in worship today…

But there is One… who will never change…

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 NIV

Most of us don’t like change… unless we are in control of how and where and when it comes about…

So here’s the rub…

When you follow Jesus… the One who doesn’t change… He is all about changing you… constantly calling you to change…

Now don’t get me wrong… He loves you just as you are…

But… He loves you so MUCH… He won’t let you stay as you are…

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. …”

Matthew 18:3 NIV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:9-10 NIV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-3 ESV

The trials of change… count it all joy… He is perfecting you…

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

2Corinthians 4:16 ESV

[Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash]