Serving an Unchanging God in a Changing World

Serving an Unchanging God in a Changing World In the late 90’s I enrolled in Bible College (Providence Bible College and Theological Seminary) to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies. The first course that I took was entitled Current Issues the textbook we used was Moral Dilemmas ( BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ON CONTEMPORARY ETHICAL ISSUES) by J. Kerby Anderson. During that time there were many hot button issues making their way to the media/political forefront like never before in our country. Some of the challenges that became major issues in the media (social media was just coming online) just to name a few were 1) Crime and Punishment, 2) Abortion, 3) Divorce, 4) Drug Abuse, 5) Sexual Promiscuity etc. The point of the course as well as the textbook was not to argue or be judgmental nor to have a holier than thou attitude against the world, however it was designed to address how we the church/ believers, should live and serve an unchanging God while living in a changing world. I have the same perspective as I write this article which is to remind and encourage those of us who serve as leaders in ministry (Ministers, Deacons etc.) that regardless of what the world does we are to stay the course he has set us on until He either calls us home (2 Cor 5:8) or returns to take us up (1 Thessalonians 4:17). I will highlight three areas that will help us stay focused on the Lord and remain faithful to our assignment. 1) OUR VALUE SYSTEM IS BASED ON SCRIPTURE NOT WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE CULTURE – that being said, many of us grew up in church (not all of us) but many of us did. We were taught Judeo/Christian values in Sunday School, Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, YPWW and Sunday Morning worship service. We can’t allow the world to pull us away from the foundation that our church leaders parents and grandparents poured into us which was the precious Holy Word of God. The song writer penned it perfectly when he wrote on Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. 2) WE CANNOT REDEFINE WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DEFINED - As leaders we must continue to teach truth even when truth is no longer popular or accepted by the masses. As minsters/deacons we all know that God calls us male/female based on how He created us (Genesis 1:27) and according to Him (God) a family is a Husband (man) and a wife (woman) and if God so desires children. The world now says we can choose our gender male/female based on how one feels and make or define our family as we see fit. For example, the bible calls marriage a covenant relationship the world says marriage is just a piece of paper, if the bible describes someone as being promiscuous the world will say they’re just being casual. We can’t stop the world from doing what they want to do or how they want to do it, but they (the world) should never cause us (the church) to redefine or accept their new definitions that go against what God has already defined. 3) WE MUST CONTINUE TO BE LIGHT AND SALT IN A DARK AND BITTER WORLD (Matthew 5:16) – The company BASF has a trademark slogan “We don’t make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better”. As Christians we don’t make people’s lives better, however we point them to the only one who can make their lives better. Jesus said in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. We lift Him by living as He lived, loving like He loved and serving like He served. Light allows us to see our way in the darkness, as leaders wherever God places us no matter how dark the atmosphere people should see the light of Christ in us. Salt seasons or adds flavor to food that has no taste as leaders of God we should have the same affect so much so that people love to see us come but hate to see us go. Finally, as I look back over my life and reflect on the journey there are things that I’ve seen change over the years that I never could have imagined, nor would I have believed would come to pass if you had told me they would 25 years ago. Be that as it may there has been and always will be one constant assurance in our life and that has been God and His Holy Word. Remember these words from scripture “ For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed Malachi 3:6, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever Hebrews 13:8. May God bless you, keep you and strengthen you as you continue to serve and Unchanging God in a changing world.

In His Service:                                                                                                                                                             Elder Tim Thomas