Issue 1537 – Change – August 29, 2024
It is just an ordinary day in the Corbin household. I took the vehicle in for routine service work and picked up a loaner to use while the work was being done. That is something that needs to be done periodically.
The car I picked up is an Audi, the same brand we drive. It’s a different year and model than ours, so the controls, bells, and whistles are primarily similar to what we are used to, but there are some minor differences. It took me a minute to set the seats and mirrors and confirm everything was where I thought it was, and I was off.
Sometimes, we end up with something completely different to use for the day. That means I need more time before I drive to familiarize myself with the location and setting of everything. Otherwise, it’s things like going to hit a turn signal and turning on the windshield wipers by mistake, if not something more serious.
Church life can be like that. The basics ought to be the same, but there may be differences. Those differences become most apparent when we visit another church, change churches, or have a change in leadership at our local assembly.
It might not be quite what we have grown accustomed to, but it doesn’t hurt us to have some change. Too often, a church has done the same thing for a long time, and no one knows why except that “we have always done it that way.”
Changing the order of service, the songs, or other peripheral stuff we see is okay. Switching up speakers is even OK, assuming they are biblically and theologically sound.
It’s even a good idea to change where we sit at times. That gives us a fresh perspective and allows us to interact with others we might not usually see.
Making changes isn’t always comfortable, and the results aren’t always to our taste or preference. As long as the teaching of the truth remains in the forefront, the rest is window dressing.
We should ask why we do what we do and if it meets our goals. We should consider better ways when they are available.
Change, for change’s sake, is pointless. Yet, it should be considered if change can help the local assembly meet its God-given mandate. Everything that the local assembly does should be periodically evaluated.
Can I let you in on a secret? You may not realize it, but the Sunday service isn’t primarily about you and me, nor is it primarily for us.
It’s for the worship of God and the saints’ edification and encouragement.
We are called to stick to the truth.
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:6-16
The truth must never be changed. Everything else is window dressing.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)
© K.F. “Kevin” Corbin 2024 – Used by permission – All rights reserved.