Over the past year we have heard people in politics and organized religion talk about how their beliefs, ideals and positions on issues are "evolving". Generally when we hear this statement, what they actually mean is that they have lowered the bar on their standards of right and wrong. They no longer want to believe that actions have consequences or that truth is absolute.
WHY?
Simple... personal gain. Whether they long for popularity, increased influence over others or broader acceptance, their heart's desire is for personal gain. A pat on the back is ALWAYS more pleasant than a slap in the face. These same folks attempt to justify their new-found "truth" or "belief" by explaining how times have changed or how "old-fashioned" ideals or standards no longer apply. Let's take a look at what God's Word has to say on this matter.
Hebrews 13:8
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 6:16-19
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.
James 1:5-8
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
I have highlighted selected text above to focus our attention. These verses tell us that Jesus never changes, God never goes back on his word and that we are to be unwavering in our devotion to God. If I'm missing something, maybe you can help me out... I fail to see where these verses leave room or give permission for us to "evolve" in our beliefs and standards... Anyone...?
Peter made it very clear...
1 Peter 1:13-25
New Living Translation (NLT)
A Call to Holy Living
13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
Somehow I can hear the voice of Phil Robertson saying : "Evolving? Nah..."
