“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6)
Change will enter into your life, either from external or internal sources, it is inevitable, the stability, the security of the known will be modified. This stability, this supposed security is what most attempt to attain to, the accountant does not usually take courses in how to be a plumber in case his employment field fails, the machinist usually does not spend his free time studying how to be a financial advisor. We tend to find a trade, grow as much as we can in it, and then proceed to feel secure.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1st Tim. 6:10)
Financial wherewithal, money saved for a rainy day is the means that the god of this world has deceived many into believing brings security, and it has worked quite well for centuries. The desire of many is to earn more, the fear is to lose what one has, most pursue what they cannot have and try to hold onto that which they know one day they will lose.
Change brought upon us, if done slowly, methodically, subtly and with intent is accepted, sinful or just, we rarely rally against change, even when it is forced upon us. War far away does not cause imminent fear.
“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” (Daniel 2:21)
There is no war for your soul my friends, all souls belong to the Almighty, and He does not change. The war has always been to dishonor the Almighty, there has always been two battlefronts in this war, the attacks of Satan and the sinful nature that will reside in us until we are glorified. Satan cannot send anyone to hell, it does not belong to him, he has the power of death, but not the power to determine where you will spend eternity.
Change in this regard is one of his greatest weapons, especially when that change is abrupt, when it is totally unexpected. The surety of our supposed security, when altered immediately is changed from desire to fear, to self-preservation, and sadly for many, Satan’s words become truth to them. “Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.” (Job 2:4)
Those who fear change do not hear the words of the Holy Spirit when He said, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) To intentionally change is to die to self, to seek the glory of God in all we say and do, it is to invite change, it is to no longer fear for the flesh, to despise the desires of the offerings of the world.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1st John 2:15)
The world does not change my friends, it has always been the same, struggle to stay alive, gain all that is within your reach, attain to a semblance of security, and then rest in the sunset of your life enjoying the fruits of your labors.
God does not change, we are to change, willingly and with great desire and intent. We are to put off the old man, we are to deny ourselves, we are to hate what the world has to offer, that false security that nearly all who have ever been born strive for every day, and then do not realize until their final breath that they have been lied to, they have been deceived.
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” (John 12:25)
The Lord will not change you unless you are willing to accept that change, He forces virtue on no one. He allows circumstances to arise in our lives to give us the opportunity to affect that change by our own free will, how you respond to those occurrences will reveal to you where your heart lays.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2)