Have you ever heard that phrase before? At first glance, some situation appears to change for the better only to find out everything is still the same. We on occasion hear about a big drug bust with loads of drugs being confiscated and dozens of people being arrested. That is a good thing, right? But the next day, there is a new drug lord with even more drugs ready to take the place of the first ones. It does not mean the arrests were not worth the effort. It does mean the battle goes on.
I wonder if this could be applied to the church, to followers of Jesus Christ. Perhaps we all have made valiant efforts in allowing God to change us, inside and out. Our spiritual maturity is making progress; we are practicing the spiritual disciplines and are becoming more like Jesus, then bam! Something happens that triggers our old nature and we find our self acting like our B.C, before Christ, self. It does not mean the journey and effort was not worth it…it means we are human. It means we “backslide, relapse or have a reoccurrence of our disease…sin. It was the grace of God that got us, got us going and growing and it will be the grace of God that does it again.
The residents at the Transition House can remind us of this. They are in the process of transitioning to a sober, sane and serene life. It is hard and it is a journey with lots of ups and down, forward progress and backward steps. As they work their spiritual discipleship program they are reminded: I cannot do this on my own; I have a God who can help me; I must surrender my life and will to Him. We expect there to be slip ups and mess-ups. We are hoping that each time the way back is clearer and shorter.
See the comparison? We all are going to have slipups, mess-ups, backslides, etc. All of us. It does not mean the journey was not true or genuine. It means we are human, still on this side of glory. One day we will be free not only of the guilt of sin and the poser of sin but also of the vey presence of sin. Until that day…it may seem like the more things change, the more they remain the same. We all need grace, forgiveness, patience and love. We all need to be a people who offer grace, forgiveness, patience and love. As George Washington once said “The people must be ever vigilant against tyrants…” In our case, our tyrants include the devil and his evil minions. Or, as the Bible says: “Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
The method of carrying out the great commission changes but the message always remains the same. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
