Change, The Doctrine Of

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. [asv]

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 5:25-29 (nkjv)

25 . . . just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. . . . 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

ROM 12:2 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. . . . 2CO 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Here we have a command by Paul to those "beloved of God and called to be saints," to not be "conformed" but to be "transformed." Not to be one way but to be another way. Since it is a command, and we today would lay claim to being "beloved of God and called to be saints," we would profit from understanding his admonition.

Several questions surface as we pursue our subject: What is involved in not being "conformed," but being "transformed." What does "by the renewing of your mind" mean? How can we "renew our mind?" What does it mean to "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

The word "conformed" here is from 'suschematizo,' meaning "to fashion alike." The American Heritage Dictionary says of conform: "to make or become similar; to act or be in agreement; comply; to act in accordance with current attitudes or practices." The word is only used one additional time in the New Testament. This is in 1st Peter 1:14 where the KJ translators used the term "fashion."

1PE 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Here we have another command, similar to the Romans 12 passage, with the negative estate expressed as a "fashioning" oneself according to the former lusts in ignorance," and the positive exhortation expressed as, "be holy" in all manner of conversation (KJV), "in all you do" (NIV), "in all your conduct," (NKJ & RSV). This helps us to understand Paul's emphasis in changing from one type of conduct to another, caused by the fact that we have been called by the God of Holiness to His holiness.

Other translations of Romans 12:2 by scholars help us to see what Paul was attempting to say in this passage.

The NIV, NKJ and the RSV all use conform, with the NIV reading, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Hugo McCord's translation reads, "Do not be molded by this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discover God's good and acceptable and complete will."

The Goodspeed translation reads, "You must not adopt the customs of this world but by your new attitude of mind be transformed so that you can find out what God's will is - what is good, pleasing, and perfect."

The Good News For Modern Man translation reads, "Do not conform outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good, and is pleasing to Him, and is perfect."

The Living Bible reads, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you."

The NEB reads, "Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to discern the will of God, and to know what is good, acceptable, and perfect."

The Phillips Modern English translation reads, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God's good, acceptable to him and perfect."

The Jerusalem Bible reads, "Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do."

The Williams translation reads, "Stop living in accordance with the customs of this world, but by the new ideals that mold your minds continue to transform yourselves, so as to find and follow God's will; that is, what is good, well-pleasing to Him, and perfect."

The word change is used four times in the N.T. indicating a changing of character and personality. Paul states that this is required if we are to prove out in practice what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. In our study we are concerned with character and personality -- a change of the real man.

Paul beseeches the Christians at Rome to "be not conformed to this world," but to be "transformed," or changed. This transformation, or change, was to be accomplished "by the renewing of their minds," and would help them "prove (out in practice) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). God's will can be proven, and it will be done by Christians who are willing to change their minds for the better.

He tells the Corinthians: "We all with open face behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord." The word translated "transformed" in the first passage is translated "changed" here. This word is only used one additional time in the N. T., in the incident where Jesus was transfigured, or changed, on the mount. (Matt. 1:17; Mark 9; Luke 8.)

The word "change" is an interesting word. It is interesting because it produces an emotional reaction with most of us. For someone to suggest that he is going to "change" us causes most of us to immediately throw up resistance. It threatens my confidence. It changes my convictions. The person becomes a troublemaker. "You are going to change me? Not if I can help it!"

Now the same reaction does not seem to occur if someone offers to educate me, or train me, or orient me, or guide me, or indoctrinate me. Therapy sounds exciting; doesn't everyone need therapy at some point in life? But change me? You may educate me, or train me, or guide me, but don't try to change me. OK.?

On the other side, many of us feel somewhat guilty if we know we are trying to change someone's way of thinking. We too have no hesitation about educating, or training, or counseling. But to be responsible for changing a person's way of thinking? I just don't want to do it.

I recall an incident where an outspoken member of the congregation stated that the preacher had dwelt for several weeks on the subject of evangelism. Finally he told him to speak on other subjects. You have taught us and we know that we ought to do what you have taught. There is no need to continue to teach us further.

This reminds us of the statement by Paul to Timothy that there were those "Always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth" (2 Ti 3:7). And another truism: “Nothing is taught until something is learned, and nothing is learned until someone’s behavior is modified.”

Why the difference in emotional response? What's behind it? First, I think a large part of it lies in the fact that safer words like education carry the implicit assurance that the only "change" will be a good one. Acceptable ones within our currently held value system. In other words, if you educate me, train me, teach me, etc., automatically I think that you're going to help me develop and grow within the framework of values that I now hold. But, quite to the contrary, "change" implies that we might somehow go against the values now held; that convictions will be challenged, and I'm afraid of it all.

Be very honest with yourself right now; probably most of us resent the implication that we need to change our mind, and they have set out to do it. But Paul did not use soft, unthreatening words when he told the Romans: "Be changed; and do it by the changing of your minds. THEN, you can prove out in actual practice, in lifestyle, in conduct, what God wants you to be."

Most of us have some difficulty when we come to obeying those Scriptures that command change. For some of us, perhaps especially the older ones, we find security in our present beliefs and convictions. We like things as they were when things seemed to be right, the way they ought to be. Most of us have pleasant memories of "good ole days," perhaps "when I was a boy," or, "back where I came from." Most all of we modern day preachers have been told many times that "preachers today just don't preach like the preachers used to preach." And this, to some extent, may be true. I've also been told many times that the singing years ago simply "rocked the rafters."

And so, when someone advocates change in mind or circumstances, many of us react negatively, and often criticize. We often balk, hold back, resist.

Many times this conservative resistance is well founded. One of the forms of misguided "leadership" in the congregational program is represented by simply changing "things." A few years ago many congregations suddenly became interested in having two pulpits, one for the song leader and one for the preacher. Architectural innovations literally swept over our entire brotherhood. We were more prosperous and our prosperity had to be symbolized in some way, and so buildings were made more ornate and "religious." Different shaped auditoriums, new color schemes, new seating arrangements, multiplied comfort items such as carpets, contour chairs, and other items were added. But the people remained pretty much the same.

Another form that leadership assumed was that of periodically changing the administration: leadership titles and roles were tossed about (business manager, involvement minister, etc., etc.), teaching methods were changed (group centered, role playing, team teaching, etc., etc.), and preachers and teachers were changed indiscriminately. BUT THE PEOPLE REMAINED PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

The kind of change that implied that changes in "things" would somehow result in the spiritual betterment of the people ought to be resisted, for it is false. Change for change's sake is not always bad, nor do we necessarily have to go on doing things in the exact same way we've always done them, but to think that changes in circumstances will automatically result in spiritual improvement is simply not true.

Strange as it may seem, the quest for education, that is, to always be impatient to know more, is more often than not in reality an effort to confirm views and ideas already held. Many saints have become accustomed to what I call "adding machine learning," adding up more and more thoughts that are already understood and held as conviction. If the teacher or preacher in certain congregations repeats enough of these commonly held thoughts, then, he proves himself to be "sound in the faith." If he does not repeat enough of these, then, he is subject to doubt as being "sound." At the very least he is "hard to understand," or described by some other term. In many cases, certainly not all, this simply means that he is saying things that are different from what the person has previously been taught. Paul mentions in writing to Timothy that there were those "ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7). What does the word "knowledge" mean under this context? Does it not mean to accept the fact of the truth, and to acquire the force of the same truth? To be changed by knowing what the truth is? Someone has rightly said: "Nothing is taught until something is learned, and nothing is learned until someone's behavior is changed." Brethren, honest disciples of Christ, sincere believers -- this is exactly what we MUST do. We must CHANGE. Paul says: BE YE CHANGED! As we see Christ through the Word, we become like Him, even as by the spirit of God. Paul said so.

To the Corinthians Paul says: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW" (2 Cor. 5:17). To the Romans Paul says that we should rise from baptism to walk "in NEWNESS of life" Rom. 6:4). To Nicodemus the Lord said: "Ye must be born AGAIN" (John 3:7). To the Ephesians Paul says: "Put on the NEW man" (4: 24). The whole book of Ephesians is filled with statement after statement concerning the putting off the OLD man and putting on the NEW. (Study especially chapter 4, please.)

Consider those that Jesus considered blessed from the Beatitudes. Why did he refer to the "poor in spirit," the "mourners," the "meek," those that "hunger and thirst after righteousness," the "merciful," the "pure in heart," the "peacemakers," those "persecuted for righteousness sake?" Was it not because by and large the multitude was of an entirely different frame of mind? Were they not looking for a physical/material kingdom? Were they not haughty and proud? Were they not looking for freedom from the Roman Empire in search of their lost national greatness? To once again become dominators rather than to be dominated? But Jesus surprised and no doubt disappointed them when he dwelt not upon the physical things, but upon the spiritual. He emphasized Godly character. He told them that they needed to change their attitude about matters if they were to be fit for the kingdom of heaven. To His disciples who held such contrary views and values, Jesus might well have said: "You're wrong and you need to change. THESE - not the ones you seek - are the true values!

Let's consider six areas where change, according to Jesus, was absolutely required.

1. Concerning Their Attitude Toward Their Brother. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you~ That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift before the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee: Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing" (Matt. 5:21-26).

2. Concerning Lust Within Their Heart. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" (Matt. 5: 27-30).

3. Concerning The Permanency Of The Marriage Relationship. "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery" (Matt. 5:31 32).

4. Concerning Swearing And The Making Of Vows. "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matt. 5:33-37).

5. Concerning The Resisting Of Evil. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away" (Matt. 5:38-42).

6. Concerning The Matter Of Love Of Mankind. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them . which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?" (Matt. 5:4347)

All this, says Jesus, in order that we might be "perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect" (v. 48).

Much of this entire sermon on the Mount deals with attitudes now demanded as a result of the coming of a new dispensation.

How successful was Jesus in provoking change among his Jewish brethren. Did they listen to him as he laid out the requirements of citizenship in the Kingdom? Did they pay any attention to him at all? On one occasions he says:

"But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you. and ye have not danced, we have mourned unto you. and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children" (Matt. 11:16-19).

As a result of this attitude of indifference, Jesus began to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done because they would not repent.

MAT 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Our Lord was a good lord, but he also was severe when the situation required it. One of the situations that provoked perhaps the most harsh statement that the record indicates he ever spoke concerned the scribes and the Pharisees - the recognized spiritual leaders of his day. He condemns them harshly because of their hypocrisy and lack of humility. He calls them "hypocrites," "blind guides," "fools and blind," "serpents," and says: "How can ye escape the damnation of hell" (Matt. 23:33). In one of the most emotional statements recorded Jesus says:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Matt. 23:37, 38).

All this because they would not change their minds and come to him! In some of the deepest, richest teaching that is recorded by Jesus concerning himself as the very bread of life the Jews turned away from him because they simply would not change their minds. As a result of these teachings "many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him" (John 6:66). In the beautiful teaching concerning himself as the way to freedom and life everlasting, they simply would not hear. And finally, being exasperated with him, "took they up stones to cast at him" (John 8:59). This obstinacy on their part continued until they reached the point where they simply could not believe and were irrevocably lost. (John 10:26; John 12:39).

We constantly talk about "being saved." Salvation is unquestionably a three-dimensional thing. We WERE saved when we initially came into Christ. We ARE BEING saved as we continue to obey him as Lord. We WILL BE eventually saved for all time when we stand before our Lord and hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant." But for the moment our salvation absolutely depends upon our willingness to grow in his grace and knowledge. We need to change as we learn the truth. Repentance describes that attitude of mind that causes one upon hearing the truth to respond to that truth. This was the quality so lacking in the Jews of Jesus' day - the quality that brought for them in the final analysis rejection and damnation. This is the quality that is absolutely demanded of all disciples of Christ today. We must be willing to change!

Today the word is "change," both on the political scene as well as religious. But this is really nothing new. And, most importantly, we need to be aware of the motives of those who advocate change. Do they want God's people to change their minds and hearts to be more like that of Jesus? If so, I'm very much for it! Do they want God's people to change their minds and hearts love one another more? If so, I'm very much for it. But, regrettable, many of those who are insisting upon change are simply wanting things to be done to please their desires. This I am very much against

If Jesus were to come -- as He surely will some day -- He will not be impressed with our modern methods, ornate buildings, or time and money consuming programs. He will be looking for -- surely -- "the poor in spirit, they that mourn, the meek, they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted for righteousness," etc. for all these constitute the citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is for these qualities (and others mentioned in the Book, that we should reach. These are the changes we should seek.