Should We Change? 
Joe Slater
	Is change good or bad? That depends on what is changing, why, and how, among other things. Biblically speaking, some changes are mandatory; others are optional; still others are sinful. Unfortunately, most of the agitation for change within the Lord’s church falls into that last category. However, the self-styled “change agents” tend to lump their unscriptural changes together with harmless changes, as though mentioning them all in the same breath makes them equivalent. It behooves us to know the difference to avoid being deceived.
	Scripture mandates that we change. The very word “convert” means change; and repentance is a change of mind. We are to be transformed (changed) by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2). Yes, the Bible requires that sinful thoughts, words, and deeds must be changed!
	Other changes are optional. Suppose the church changed the time that we assemble. It might not be wise; you and I might not like it; but it would not be sinful, for the Bible leaves this matter open. What if the song leader taught us a song we had never sung before? As long as it was scriptural, it would not be wrong, even if you and I didn’t care much for it. Some congregations observe the Lord’s Supper toward the end of the assembly rather than the beginning. Since the Bible doesn’t specify one way or the other, this is purely optional. Congregations with which I am familiar have no problems with points like these.
	Despite claims that “we aren’t changing the gospel, we’re just using a more up-to-date approach,” most of the changes being pushed upon churches of Christ today are, in fact, unscriptural. When the window dressing is stripped away, we are left with supposedly “Christian” leaders (elders, preachers, professors, editors, etc.) who teach, practice, and promote error. Such elementary principles as the purpose of baptism have been abandoned, not to mention the unique, undenominational nature of the church. Worship is exchanged for entertainment; Biblical authority is sacrificed upon the altar of subjective feelings; truth is traded for so-called “unity-in-diversity.”
	Will we be swept away with the tide? Or will we resist sinful changes while choosing optional changes only with care and wisdom? May God help us to love Him and His truth, and to be “steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
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God Cares For You . . .
As a mother comforts her children       (Isaiah 66:13)
As a father pities his sons (Psalm 103:13)
As a shepherd seeks his sheep            (Ezekiel 34:12)
As a hen gathers her chicks (Matthew 23:37)
As an eagle hovers over her young (Deuteronomy 32:11)
As a bridegroom rejoices in marriage    (Isaiah 62:5))
	--Mark Posey (Decatur, AL)
Conscience and Guilt
	Some people feel guilty about things they ought not to feel guilty about, such as eating pork. Jesus made all meat clean. However, if we've been conditioned to believe something is wrong even when God has not condemned it, it is false guilt. These people need to be taught.
	Some people don't feel guilty about things they ought to feel guilty about. Either they have never learned the Lord's will about the matter, or they have become so jaded they no longer feel guilt about it.  It's like rolling a block down a rocky hill.  It is hard to do but you keep rolling it, the edges will rub off and it gets easier and easier to roll it.  Keep sinning and it gets easier to live with.
	Some people do feel guilty, but live with the pain of guilt and are miserable, and self loathing. This group of people has given up trying to live out God's will. They are in bondage to sin.
	Jesus not only forgives us our sins but gives us the power to stop it. No, we will never be perfect, but God expects us to pursue holiness in fear of God. There's a difference between stumbling and walking in sin. The Christian stumbles; the sinner walks in sin.
	Guilt is like the nerves of our bodies giving us painful signals that something is not OK and we must find a remedy for it. If the nerves have been damaged, we cannot feel pain and we may suffer further injury.
	Let's keep our souls healthy.  Let's not afflict it with sin and sear our consciences.
	--Rob Redden (Arroyo Grande, CA)