Surrender to God’s Call to Change 

You have probably heard about the recent controversy involving a well-known restaurant chain’s plan to rebrand itself. Among the changes in the works, until a later reversal was made, were a different logo and the remodeling of their facilities, including moving away to some degree from its old-fashioned, country style of décor. Many have spoken out in opposition to these plans. Some support their aversion to these changes by citing political motivations or even moral issues as being behind these modifications. Whether or not that is true, probably the overwhelming reason for people’s outrage about this issue is simply that they don’t like change. Sometimes we try to cover up our resistance to change by trying to make it political or moral. However, if we are honest with ourselves, often it is more a matter of personal preference and the fact that we just want things to stay the way they are or how we are accustomed to them.

While such an attitude toward change can affect many areas of our lives, we need to be especially careful of it when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. Why? Because following Jesus is going to inevitably involve change – changes in our lives, as well as changes in the very core of our being. If we don’t like change and resist it, we are not going to make the progress we should in becoming faithful and mature disciples of Jesus.

The basic message of Jesus, as well as the gospel as a whole, is the call to repent. Repentance by definition involves change – a change of mind and a change in direction. Many people walk away from that call because they are fearful of or resistant to the changes the Lord might want to make in their lives. They refuse to repent, not because of doubts or unbelief or other issues they might hide behind, but simply because they do not want to give up certain activities or change the way they live.

If we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, it will change us. The Bible declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). Not only do we leave behind many former practices in our lives, but we ourselves are different. We are transformed. But it is a good change. As one old song testifies, “What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart.”

As significant, and sometimes dramatic, as that initial change can be when we trust Jesus for salvation, change will continue to be a vital and ever-present factor in the life of a believer. God’s goal for us is to make us more like Jesus – “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). He wants us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). And growth requires change.

I am afraid that many of us aren’t progressing in our faith because of our resistance to change. We may try to blame it on other issues, but the bottom line is that we are afraid to change. We don’t like it. We are comfortable with where we are, with who we are, and with what we typically do. The real sticking point isn’t about believing in God, or in the resurrection of Jesus, or in the Bible as the infallible Word of God. It is about not wanting to let God change us.

Therefore some of us may need to recognize, admit, and repent of our resistance to change. Then we need to let God work in our hearts and lives. Change can be good, especially if the Lord is the One doing it.