6 Ways the Church Has Changed (And Why It’s Okay)
- Chad Napier Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Updated Jul 19, 2022
The 4th of July was always the most attended family gathering in my childhood. Both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and every cousin would be present for badminton, lawn darts, plenty of eating, and the making of lifelong memories. As the years passed, the grandparents grew older, and my parents had to provide them with transportation for the cookout gathering. It was inevitable “things” were not always going to be this way. Once the grandparents leave the scene, the family gatherings become less attended, less regular, and more forced. We often attempt to recreate the times of old, but the scenes from those memories cannot be replicated.
The same is true for the church and our own spiritual lives. The changes that have taken place in society and in the church over the past 20 years have altered the way the “local church” worships, conducts Bible School, and reaches out to the community. Families have moved out of the area, and others have changed churches. People do not like strangers knocking on their doors. Change, however, does not have to be a negative thing. We, both individually and corporally as a church, should not be at the same spiritual level of maturity that we were a decade ago or even last year for that matter. Our lives in Christ are supposed to change whether it is desired or not. The names and faces within our church change as does the style of our pastors. Much of our outreach is broadcasted through social media. The message stays the same, but the impact of the Spirit upon us has brought and will continue to bring inevitable alterations within our lives.
1. Change of Clothes
Our souls have been saved, and our dark hearts washed clean by the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have great empowerment through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are thankful for the liberty we have by and through Christ. However, we are living in a sea of sin as we abide in this godless and evil world. Further, our saved soul is in daily battle with our flesh. Our sinful flesh and our actions have certainly been impacted by the cleaning of our soul and salvation, but our flesh still has its natural desire to be pleased and consequently suffers from the enticements of the world. The flesh is a “man-fearing” spirit. The clothes which adorn our bodies today cover our sinful flesh. Our soul has experienced the saving and regenerative birth by placing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our flesh, however, was not “saved.”
In Zechariah 3:4, “The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.’ Further, at the time of the marriage supper, the church will be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the linen is the righteousness of saints.” Yes church, we will be arrayed in the finest of linen once this body realizes its final glorification. We will be forever clothed in the glorified righteousness of our Savior Jesus Christ inside and out.
2. Way of Worship
The church is our given respite of opportunity to escape from the tiring responsibilities of the world and enter into houses of worship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We bring with us our prayers and concerns but come to worship and praise His presence in our lives and His faithful provision for our needs. In Acts 6:14, “For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” Our idea of worship will one day be forever changed and our perspective perfected. When in the presence of the glory of the Lord, we shall see our Savior face to face. Then, we will have a much clearer understanding and appreciation of His sacrifice. On the isle of Patmos, John was given a glimpse of the worship in heaven. In Revelation 5:11-12, he wrote about the millions “saying with a loud voice, worth is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”
Our worship today cannot fully contemplate the greatness of God’s glory, which will be revealed in the kingdom to come. In Hebrews 12:28-29, we are told to “be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” The manifestation of the portion John was able to see caused him to fall “down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to [him].” Until we receive our glorified bodies, our mortal minds and flesh cannot fully comprehend and visualize the full glory of our Heavenly Father. We will see both His mighty glory, but also His hand of provision throughout our life.
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3. Worries Within the Church
In Galatians 4:20, Paul wrote out of concern to the church, “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” He had justified worry that the people were reverting to legalistic practices. The critics of Paul and the teachings of Jesus through His messengers attempted to discredit true righteousness and salvation. Paul had great concern for the spiritual health for the churches to which he wrote and those he also visited.
In 2 Corinthians 11:28, he wrote, “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” We have present worries about our churches with floundering attendance and allowance of unsound doctrine being taught to the masses. These concerns are alleviated by witnessing the fulfillment of sound doctrine. Those who have preached earthly peace and financial prosperity are being proven to be purveyors of false doctrine. In Luke 21:31, he outlined the headlines of today’s newspapers and wrote, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
4. Glorification and Salvation of Vile Bodies
One of the great mercies of Christ is the death of our sin-cursed flesh. Imagine being stricken with a disease gradually destroying the fabric of our organs with no hope of medicinal success. No great imagination is needed because sin is indeed killing our bodies beginning at our birth. Death, however, is that mercy allowing us to escape the earthly torment upon our sinful flesh. As depressing and uncomfortable as it may be considering this reality, the ultimate salvation and glorifying change of this vile body is equally as glorious.
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:21, “who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Job 14:14 gives us great hope writing, “If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.” What a great change we anticipate. No more will this body suffer and succumb to sickness, disease, or distress.
5. Enthroned as King
Irrespective of our political party allegiance and its relative “success” in the previous elections, we all have had to live under the reign of regimes whose platforms disgust our spiritual senses at some point in our lives. The hope we had under “our Presidents” or “our governors” is felt to have been lost as soon as the oath of office is taken by another party. One day, however, the believer has the great hope and promise of Jesus Christ’s eternal rule upon the earth. Then, the world’s capital city will be established in Jerusalem. Zechariah 14:9 assures us that, “The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day, there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.” This regime change will bring about great peace and prosperity for those who have trusted upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Today, we are governed by elected officials who make decisions and uphold our supposed best interests in the way we are governed. Some attempt to govern by the dictates of what “sayeth the Word of God” while others are motivated solely by their self-interests. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Our God has control and a purpose for all He places in a position of power. In Revelation 22:3, we are consoled by the fact that there will no longer “be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” The corruption in power that we are so accustomed to reading about daily will be a distant memory. A just and righteous Savior will be enthroned as King!
6. Riches Claimed by the Unjust
No matter how close we abide at the foot of the cross and in the Word of God, it is difficult to accept the prospering of the unjust and ungodly. David fretted over these same issues. In Psalm 37, David came to the realization that “evildoers shall be cut off.” He wrote to “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Judgment is near for the sinner and “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Those who denied Jesus Christ as Savior and sought and obtained the riches of the world thought they had “this life thing figured out.” In verse 13, David had the vision that “the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”
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