A Change of Status
Life is full of changes. In fact, we change dramatically from conception till we are born. Then, various changes of status take place. As we grow, we continue to change statuses. If we live a long life, we change from “the baby” to the young child, to an adolescent, to adult, and to elderly. Perhaps there are other changes of status that occur as we choose a mate, have children of our own, pursue our various career paths, or many other possibilities. We learn from Ecclesiastes 3:1, there is “a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Verses 2-8 cover many of the circumstances on this earth that can produce changes of status.
However, none of these from birth to death, nor any changes of status contained therein mean anything if a particular change of position does not take place. Birth is important as it places us on earth. Death is equally important because our spiritual status at that point, will not change for eternity. What is more important than either of these is what we do with whatever time we have in-between. Christ, during His earthly ministry, addressed this in Matthew 16:26 when He pointed out there is no profit in living life and losing one’s soul. In that same passage, He also questioned what a man would give in exchange for his soul.
Sadly, many live their lives either unconcerned about eternity, or badly informed as to how their spiritual status has been altered during their time on earth. Few seem to realize that as an infant or a small child, one is in a “safe” relationship with God. They don’t yet know sin. When one attains the “age of accountability”, Genesis 8:21b, (when they truly understand “right and wrong”), they sin, (Romans 3:23) and become “lost”. They remain in such a state unless or until they obey the gospel in accordance with God’s New Testament Word. Only upon obedience to the gospel, does one enter a “saved” relationship with God.
Unfortunately, many continue through life unaware of the need to make a change in their lives because of a lack of teaching, or improper teaching. Somewhere in time, man came with the ungodly idea that all one must do for Salvation is to believe (ask Jesus into their heart). There are two immediate problems with this. Perhaps if one would consult the New Testament, they would discover that James 2:19 tells us “the devils also believe and tremble”. Are they ready to concede that “the devils”, those diametrically opposed to God, have hope of Salvation? I don’t think so! Folks might also be surprised to learn that James 2:24 is the only place “faith only” is found in the entirety of the Bible, and there it is preceded by “not by”.
Therefore, something must be done by an individual to change their status with God. This is very apparent when, in Acts 3:19, as Peter spoke to the people of Israel on Solomon’s porch after the lame beggar was healed, the Spirit had Peter say: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”. Repentance is indeed a change that will result in a change in status. The Greek Word for repent in this verse is “metanoeō”, and means to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of knowledge. This knowledge is to come from the Word of God. This is supposed to result in a change of status.
However, this doesn’t mean that every change of status that man makes is a positive one. Often the choices one makes is dependent on one’s motivation. For example, Demas, per Colossians 4:14, (approx. A.D. 64) was working in the kingdom alongside Luke the Physician, then we again read of him in Philemon vs 24, (again approx. A.D. 64) as a fellow laborer of the apostle Paul. It seems the motivation for his status at that point was to serve God and be pleasing to Him. But something went terribly wrong. According to 2Timothy 4:10 (approx. A.D. 65), Demas had forsaken Paul and the Lord. The motivation for his choice for this is given by inspiration. We are told he “loved this present world and is departed unto Thessalonica”. We have no other mention of Demas in God’s Word.
Even if Demas did not repent and be restored, he went through several changes of status. (1) He was born, so he was once in a “safe” relationship with God. (2) Then, as he grew up, he sinned, and his status changed to a “lost” condition with God. (3) At some point, he heard and obeyed the truth and entered a “saved” relationship with God. (4) Then, in falling from grace in forsaking the Lord, and loving this present world, his status again changed to that of a “lost soul”. Don’t let this happen to you.
Rather, seek to know the truth and allow your status to change as truth directs. Let your love of God according to truth be the motivation for your change of status. Your eternal destination depends on your spiritual status when your life is completed on this earth. We are taught in 2Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Why not choose God and His Word, and obey the gospel to change your status before it is everlastingly too late?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
