"Searching the Scriptures and Seeking the Lost"
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
by Wayne Jones
It would appear that many things in our world change without warning and with fierce regularity. Because of the rapid advancement in technology, a computer is often considered being nearly obsolete just months after purchase. Have you ever driven down what used to be a two lane road in the country and it having become four or even six lanes of commercialized property? Better yet, have you ever driven by the gas pumps in the morning only to find those prices to be outdated and changed (usually higher) in the evening? Truly, we live in an ever changing society. Personally, this writer is extremely thankful for the majorities of those changes. The washing machine has replaced the wash bucket; the computer has replaced the typewriter; the automobile has replaced the horse and buggy!
Despite these areas of modification, some things seem as if they will never change. Old men drinking coffee every morning at the local coffee house or families gathering at the holidays seem to be staples in our society (at least for the time being). From a Biblical standpoint, there are some other things that will never change. As Christians, it is important for us to remind ourselves of this fact on a regular basis. While the culture, technology and morality of our country have changed over the past 50 years, there are some things that have not and never will change. Let us consider these immutable truths as we continue.
Man Still Has The Same Need
Woven into the fabric of the Bible is the inherit need man has for God and the unwavering trust that the creation must put into its Creator. Man’s greatest problems have always surfaced when he has tried to go his own way. It is for this reason that the Scriptures repeatedly points out man’s desperate need to rely on God and His inspired Word (Pro. 16:24; Jer. 10:23; Psa. 37:23). No matter how long this earth stands or how “intelligent” man becomes, he will always need God to direct his path and to guard his way. Walking a different direction will lead toward death and destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Man has, does and will always need God’s divine direction.
Sin Still Has The Same Result
When man rejects the explicit teaching of God, his path leads in the way of the sinner, toward the seat of the scornful and council of the ungodly (Psa. 1:1). Walking that path will be inconsistent with the light of 1 John 1:7-9 and will result in man’s soul being stained with sin. No matter how good our intentions are or how spiritually strong we become, the Bible teaches that at some point we have all walked apart from God and/or fallen short God’s expectations of us (Rom. 3:23.
James vividly details the progress and result of sin in the lives of those who commit such. The three step process involves evil desire, sin and then death (Jam. 1:13-15). This process has been the same since man’s first sin in the garden and continues to be the same today when men sin. The result is spiritual death or separation from God (Isa. 59:1-2; cf. Jam. 2:26).
Man has attempted to lessen the guilt, severity and stigma attached to sin over the years. Some view sin only in light of what the present generation thinks or holds to be wrong. However, God’s standards and definition of sin do not change with the seasons or with the generations. Sin’s result has been death since in first was committed (Rom. 5:12) and it continues to be death to this day. Some things will never change – one of those is the true result of sin.
Salvation Still Has The Same Source
God did not leave us helpless or hopeless against the effects and result of sin in our lives. He did not give us one chance at purity and simply write us off when we failed Him. No sir! God provided, for sinners, a way back to Him. Consider in the same context where sin’s result was discussed (Rom. 5), so to was the source of salvation discussed. Paul wrote that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). Christ’ death then became the source of our salvation and reconciliation: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Rom. 5:10-11). Through that sacrifice we have redemption (Eph. 1:7); ours souls are washed (Rev. 1:5); and we find forgiveness of our sins (Col 1:14). Peter, in speaking to the Jewish leaders, identifies Christ as the source of that salvation: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Many have tried to envision, develop and implement new, trendy methods of salvation, but their attempts have been futile. God’s source of salvation – His Son, Jesus Christ will never change. As long as this earth stands and eternity waits, Christ will be the only source whereby man’s greatest need can be met.
Despite the number of changes that have been made over the years, some things will never change. Some of those things are (1) man’s greatest need, (2) sins tragic result and (3) salvation’s wonderful Source. May God help us to see, understand and teach about those things that will never change.