Changing, but Changed?
Reprinted with permission
Probably the number one reason people refuse to become Christians is because of hypocrisy. Now there are many definitions, explanations, Bible studies, and sermons on hypocrisy. But if I could define hypocrisy in a simple way from all the experiences, memories, and interactions with other people in the 23 years of my life, it would be that hypocrisy is trying to change others, without you yourself being changed.
See, it is easier to change, than to be changed. This is why it’s easier to teach about devotions, rather than doing them yourself. This is why it’s easier to preach about sin, rather than overcoming sin personally. This is why it’s easier to plan a spiritual conference rather than go to Sabbath School. This is why it’s easier to talk about changing the world, rather than surrendering your will completely and utterly to an Almighty God, each and every single day that you wake up.
Human nature is such that we don’t like to admit we’re wrong or messed up for too long a period of time. Perhaps it’s a sense of optimism, or maybe it’s the quick fix mentality, but whatever it is, we tend to transition from a changed mentality, to a change mentality, very quickly.
When choosing leaders, do we look at their organizational abilities, or do we look at their spiritual condition? When preaching to young people, do our sermons focus on the cancer of sin, and the need for a new heart, or do they focus on mobilization, movement, and radicalization?
Frankly, I’m tired of movement stuff. The change the world stuff. I don’t want to be the Nicodemus that comes to Jesus in the night with flattering lips, and pretend not to know what it means to be “born again.” The Desire of Ages tells us that “he felt he needed no change.” And this was a man who was a ruler of Israel! How led astray must have been the ordinary citizen?
I believe there are many young people who enter God’s army with a zeal that can be used for something mighty. But oftentimes, the focus is so much on the work that focus on the condition of self is overlooked. Let’s give Bible studies, let’s knock on doors, let’s preach and teach. Sound the battle cry, see the foe is nigh! And yet the possibility exists that Jesus on the day of judgment will say, “I never knew you.” What terrifying words!
I am a firm believer in God’s work. But God’s work isn’t just for other people. It’s for me. And it’s within me. It makes me joyful when I once wasn’t. It makes me more patient when I was not before. It changes my desires, gives me peace, and gives me hope.
Let us Christians be reviled for preaching the gospel of repentance. Who cares if we’re hated across the globe? But let us experience the gospel of repentance for ourselves. If we are not changed, what are we really changing?