“In a world of sin everything goes to pot” (Jay Adams). Scientists tell us that the created world is characterized by atrophy – everything is running out of energy. Furthermore, the history of civilizations also reveals a pattern of decline. Our own country is a case in point. However high the moral standard of our founding fathers may have been, the last two hundred years have brought us to the brink of moral collapse. Things that were abominable to previous generations are now the goals of political and social action. Societies made up of sinners never get better. The best we can hope for is a temporary arrest of the moral slide and a temporary stay of execution. In addition, the Bible tells us that this moral downgrade is true of individuals. Sin is never satisfied. And the outcome of a life of unremitting sin is judgment.
In this world of sin the creation is deteriorating, societies are falling apart and individuals are steadily going downhill. Unless there is a change in the nature of these things, there is no hope of escaping the expected judgment.
But, thank God, there is the hope of change, because there is a God who changes things. One day He will change the creation. Its present groaning under the curse of sin will be changed into psalms of praise. There will also be a new society of changed people on that new earth who will reflect an atmosphere of God’s holiness and love. But, both of these longed-for changes are yet in the future. However, individuals can know God’s changing grace here and now. That is the hope in the gospel – God changes sinners into people who:
· Are no longer under the cloud of God’s coming judgment;
· Are no longer under the curse and control of sin; and
· Are THEREFORE no longer known for their progress in sin, but rather for their progress in holiness.
These changes are true for every one of God’s children. These are changes that each and every Christian experiences.
Change is what the Gospel is all about.
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