In rejection of needed correction or to justify sin that “cannot be stopped,” the phrase “people don’t change” is sometimes used. While this phrase sounds wise to some, God’s Word teaches otherwise.
Consider the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” in which Jesus spoke of a man who was [metaphorically] “dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24). This son had to change in order to be described as such.
Consider the example of Peter, a man who denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75), yet later had the faith to be an elder of a church (1 Peter 5:1).
Consider Paul, who persecuted Jesus and His followers (Acts 9:4-5), yet later dedicated his life to preaching that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20).
Consider the Jews Peter spoke to on the Day of Pentecost, who had crucified Jesus (Acts 2:36), yet chose to give their lives to the One they had crucified (Acts 2:41-47).
These individuals had sinned drastically. Yet, they still had a chance to be saved.
This chance was contingent on changing. On being converted. This is the answer we must give when sin is in our lives. The answer is not to say “that’s just who I am,” but to “go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).
In 1 Corinthians 6:11, we find an example of individuals who had changed drastically. The Holy Spirit through Paul listed characteristics of unrighteousness and then said, “such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Like the Christians Peter wrote to, we can give up lustful and sinful ways. We can become “new creatures.” Notice the change alluded to in 1 Peter 4:3: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles…
It may be true that mankind has certain “predispositions” geared to unique character and conduct. For instance, some people are inclined to be introverted, while others are inclined to be extroverted.
Yet, when it comes to character and conduct that God’s Word specifies as good or bad, we cannot use this as an excuse for not changing. The Holy Spirit teaches that our character not only can, but must change if God commands it.
Regardless of our past, we have the ability to change. Through this, we can look at sin and say “such was I, but I’m different now. I’ve been cleansed. I’ve been sanctified. I’m walking in ‘newness of life’” (Romans 6:4).
All of us have the ability to make the changes God desires. May we never excuse ourselves from changing in ways the Lord desires.
– Michael Hickox