The Right Kind Of Change

by James Robison

“Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.” (Jeremiah 26:3)

We’ve been hearing for months, “We need change!” Political candidates promise it. People seem to accept it. But do we need change simply for the sake of change or should we have the wisdom to know what kind of change is needed and what should stay the same?
The call for change is not unlike the call from God to repent as nations, communities and individuals. Throughout the Bible, God calls on His chosen people (both Israel and the church) to repent. Repentance is change. It is a change in direction, attitude and the mind. Since we are promised change, we should wisely ask if this is the result of national repentance. Change should only come as the result of wise choices based on sound principles.

I have deep concern for the nation that I deeply appreciate and love. It is disturbing to consider the results of the wrong kind of change. We have only one hope to avoid a spiritual and moral meltdown. We must turn to the true agent of change: Jesus Christ.
The proper conduit for change on the earth is the New Testament church. This supernaturally-transformed body of believers, changed by faith in a living Lord, must define and demonstrate life as it should be lived. Not only has Jesus Christ set the example through His life and died to make it available, He has also sent another of the same kind (the Holy Spirit) to enable us to live what He taught.

The church was never meant to be a political power base. Scripture makes it clear that “it’s not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit” that necessary change is accomplished. If ever the church believes we can boast in our numbers and simply outvote the opposition to bring change, we are deceived.

True change is the result of a personal spiritual encounter that brings about a new beginning, with new purpose and new direction. We are to be controlled and compelled by love, living with genuine concern for the wellbeing of others, freely sharing the life we fully experience. If Christians will begin by loving one another, then caring for others and demonstrating the powerful effect of our faith, people will be magnetically drawn to the One who is lifted up for all to see. The church is to be a light, dispersing the darkness and enabling people to see truth and the way to live. Committed Christians should be good citizens and vote according to their convictions, as long as they are based on wisdom and God’s foundational principles.

Government will be rightly changed by changed people living rightly. Our nation was established upon the beliefs of people who had been changed and affected by the power of the truth in the Bible. Good government can only be established and maintained by people capable of governing themselves. Out-of-control people invite an ever-intrusive, overpowering system of government. Politicians can talk about change all they want, but positive change will only come when people have heard the truth, seen it demonstrated and allowed it to have a profound effect on their own lives. Even the unrighteous can sometimes tell when something is wrong in their lives. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

I am for change the change God promises if we will allow His Word to rule in our lives. The problems we face as a nation will only be solved when His kind of change occurs in each of us as individuals. When the population is changed one life at a time, the effect of this change will affect the much-needed change in government.

This Week
Exercise wisdom as you vote, but pray for real change through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Let it begin in your life, then emanate to those around you.

Prayer
“Lord, lead our nation to repentance. Let me lift you up as the only answer to our problems. Help our leaders, whoever they may be, to do what is right in Your eyes.”

It's not too late to join James in prayer for our nation. Visit www.thesoulofanation.com right now!

(This is from "Words Of Life" weekly devotional.)