On Lasting Change

Most recently on a trip, my group was joined by a colleague for dinner. As oft the case, dinners are times for social dialogue, rarely ever delving into work issues. Our friend opened a passage into their personal life, she had written a book about her trials after coming home from the war in Iraq. In her book, She admitted that she drank often, had many interpersonal problems and had sought all sorts of help from psychologists in order to feel better. She freely admitted that her past career as a social worker had somewhat impeached the process, because she knew the book answers from the psychology manuals and her training. She seemingly resigned herself to a hopeless course of life. This is sad.

Her problem; that the way of the world her problems are not solved neither by social change, alcohol, nor psychology. She needs Jesus Christ. Her answer to her problem was that she cannot change. Now I know that this is a normal defense when someone wants to provide excuse for certain behavior; they are “who they are”; after all “people cant change”. Even believers come up with this excuse, I have seen this in counseling. Frankly, we need to dissect this and demonstrate the fallaciousness of this argument.

Christian, we all understand that Christ died on the cross; yes? Let’s construct an extended syllogism for instruction’s sake here.

1. Jesus died on the cross for our sins as a substitute; 1Pe 3:18 says, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2. Jesus died not only for our past sins as a substitute, but our present sins as well, 1 John 1:9 teaches that, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3. All of our sins were in the future; therefore Christ died for our future sins as a substitute.

4. Christ’s death was complete; it was effective and delivers from the power of sin. Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. Therefore, the power of God, through the Agency of the Holy Spirit delivers us from the power of such sin. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

6. Given these things, we can change! Consider the passage in Hebrews Hbr 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

You see there is hope for our friend through Christ! Yes!!