The more things change, the more they stay the same. Dig into the meaning of this familiar phrase and one will find the frustration of something needing improvement, something that ought to be made better. In that struggle, it seems we are simply powerless to bring about change, because, well, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
The same is often said for the people of God. Some will say “The church is filled with hypocrites.” It’s true, even Christians are still sinners. The trouble is, even as we are baptized and our sins forgiven, we continue to sin. Why? It is in our nature. The more we try to do what is right, the more we fall short of God’s expectation. But there is hope; we have Christ.
Through Christ, we have learned that we are to love God above all else and love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to forgive as we are forgiven. We have also learned that, as we fall short of God’s expectation (and we will) our sin is forgiven through Christ Jesus. So in truth, through Christ, the more we are changed, the more we cannot remain the same. We are God’s children now, forgiven, sanctified and loved forever. So as Paul exhorts us, “ Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, guide me in your ways, that my life would be a reflection of your love. Amen.
In the Beginning 