Change is Good – by Ritchie Way

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May 11, 2016 2206

“You people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other, ‘We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song but you would not mourn!’ John the Baptist did not go around eating and drinking, and you said, ‘That man has a demon in him!’ But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, ‘That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.” (Matthew 11:16-19. C.E.V.).

The religious leaders were upset when John the Baptist and Jesus did not dance to their tune as other Jews did: When John the Baptist did not conform to their ways, they argued that he was demon-possessed. And when Jesus did not conform, they heaped guilt by association on him by asserting that he mingled with the people he identified with most—the very worst people in society.

The religious leaders hated John’s and Jesus’ preaching because both messages required changes in their lives—changes they weren’t willing to make.  Jesus commented, “Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.”  Jesus is the incarnate wisdom of God. Changes in our lives that accord with Jesus’ life and teachings are wise changes.

There is one thing that people seem to dislike more than any other, and that is change. People detest change; probably because it takes them out of their comfort zone. But if we reject Jesus’ gospel message and refuse to change, we also exclude ourselves from his eternal kingdom.

When Jesus gave up his life on the cross so that we could have the fullness of life in his eternal kingdom, he gave us a free gift that we only need to accept in faith.

 The moment you accept Jesus’ gospel you will receive the assurance that you are saved. Your salvation is not only reserved for the future, it is freely given to you when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. The Scriptures tell us clearly that if you have Jesus in your heart, you have eternal life (1 John 5:11-13). If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, what are you waiting for? All you have to do is ask him, and he will be there. 

– Ritchie Way