Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 06:13

It’s Not Too Late to Change
by Terry Broome

You might have overheard someone make a similar statement as the man in a bus terminal who was heard to say to his friend, “Been doing it for thirty years. Too late to quit now.” I have no idea what the practice was he spoke of, but in some way it appeared to be a vice that he didn’t feel capable of breaking at this later point in his life. What a defeated attitude this represents. How tragic for anyone to succumb to allowing something to gain control of his life to the point that he is helpless to deal with it.
On the other hand, we’ve had individuals respond to the Gospel invitation who have made the following explanation for their decision late in life to come to Jesus and change their life to live for Him: “I’ve been living in sin for thirty years and that’s long enough!” Indeed it is, and what a contrast in attitudes between one who seems so helpless to make a change in direction, and the one who sees a compulsion to give the rest of his life to the Lord.
The Apostle Peter and the Holy Spirit were convinced that it’s not too late to make those needed changes in our lives. Satan would have us believe the lie that we’re helpless victims of sinful habits. It doesn’t have to be so:
1 Peter 4:1-4 ( NKJV ) 1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

It’s true that peer pressure has a lot to do with our reluctance to change life-styles. Some refuse to become Christians because of their friends and the company they keep, or that they might have to quit keeping if they obey the Gospel. Others attempt to keep that same company after obeying the Gospel and are drawn away from the new found hope in Christ. Peter warned us that they might “think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot” and speak evil of you. Okay, so let’s not make waves. Stay in the rut we’ve found ourselves in. No indeed! Peter says “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.”
Admittedly it might take a tremendous amount of will-power to change masters of one’s life, but with God’s help it can be done. His powerful and life-changing Word coupled with a desire in our hearts to make the change can result in being “crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.