By Staff
There are many proponents of change these days. Corporate change is not speaking of some corporation; it is widespread, grassroots, cultural change.
We need change on every level: personal, family, church, and nationally. Why do we need change? We need change because the forces of evil run rampant in the world and threaten morality, peace, and justice.
The forces of evil are the work of the devil. Jesus Christ the Son of God is the agent of change.
The apostle John spoke of the mission of Jesus in 1 John, chapter 3, verse 8b: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."
Jesus Christ the Son of God stepped out of heaven and came to the earth. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and introduced the gospel of salvation.
The devil is called "the prince of this world" by Jesus in the gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 30. The devil orchestrated the death of Jesus on the cross. The devil thought he had achieved victory, but God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24). The power of the devil was broken that first Easter morning.
Even though the devil is a defeated foe, God allows him to continue deceiving and destroying. Until the true Messiah comes and the devil is cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10), we must contend with the devil's works of evil and his systems of evil.
How difficult is corporate change? Apart from the power of God, it is impossible. Those who come with messianic promises without the power of the true Messiah are doomed to failure. The world has too much momentum, too much force to turn on a dime apart from God.
In the Old Testament, we are told of the people of God living in the days of Israel's glory. Israel had kings who literally ruled the world. Pride crept in and the people drifted from God into every selfish venture, including idol worship and false religions.
God sent prophet after prophet to plead with His people to change. God gave Jeremiah a message in Jeremiah, chapter 26, verses 2-3: ". . . Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done."
God had pronounced judgment on the people for their disobedience. The message from the prophet was one of hope. All the people had to do was change, but they seemed to lack the disposition and the power to change.
God could have changed them, just like He could change us. God is so powerful that He said of Himself, in Jeremiah, chapter 27, verses 5-6, "With My great power and outstretched arm I made the earth and its people and the animals that are on it, and I give it to anyone I please. Now I will hand all your countries over to My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him."
We need change, but widespread change that brings good to society lies totally in the hands of Almighty God. Any change promised by anybody who is not humble and enlisting the power of God may be change, but not for good. The change promised by men only increases our bondage to this world and the forces of evil.
What are we to do? We can pray and call others to seek the Living God of Heaven. Who knows if God will intervene and stop the downward spiral toward decadence and chaos, and give us a season of true heaven-sent revival, before the true change comes at the end of this age when Jesus comes.
How difficult is corporate change? Impossible apart from God!