By: Godwin Toju Eyiangho
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INTRODUCTION
There are so many things that cannot be changed naturally – the rising of the sun from the east and setting in the west, sea and ocean, red and black seas, the dead sea, the blue river Nile, climate and season, salt and fresh water and so on. Besides, in the human body, we cannot change the head to leg, waist to stomach, nose to mouth and vice-versa. Nevertheless, we are going to consider things that cannot be changed that affect our spiritual maturity.
DEFINITION
We are defining two keywords – peace and change.
The Greek word translated as peace is sigao meaning silence, still (Luke 20:26, Acts 12:17). It is defined as freedom from disturbing or oppressive thoughts/emotions.
Change means to make different in some particular, give a different position, course or direction to, replace with another, alter, transform, etc.
Therefore, our topic is centred on the fact that we must not be disturbed, worried or troubled over those things that cannot be changed which influence our spirituality negatively.
Some of them are as follows:
Permanent Ailment/Problem of Life
There are some ailments or problems of life that may affect us and remain throughout our lives on earth such as stroke (paralysis), diabetes, leprosy, blood pressure (BP), poor sight and so on.
We must not be disturbed to the extent that we are dejected and blame God but like Apostle Paul, the grace of God will see us through (2 Cor. 12:7-10). We also see in the Old Testament, a leper, Naaman, who became the captain of the Syrian army proving ability in disability (2 Kings 5:1).
Stature
The human body is made to grow, and develop to maturity, hence Jesus grew in stature (Luke 2:51).
Once the state of maturity is attained, fully grown, nothing can be done to change the stature. Many including some Christians are not at peace with their stature accusing God for creating them too short or tall, ugly, or with big head, flat nose or buttocks…and they sin against God.
Let’s remember the story of the Potter and the clay (Jer. 18:1-6, Isa. 29:16; 64:8). Romans 9:20-21 – But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
Zaccheus, though very short, climbed the tree to see Jesus and brought salvation to his house (Luke 19:1-10).
We must be at peace with any of these conditions we may find ourselves, in and give thanks to God (1 Thess. 5:18).
The Prosperity of the Wicked
Another thing that cannot be changed that affects our spiritual maturity is how the wicked, the ungodly, are fast prospering. Before the Psalmist noticed and wrote it, it had been on (Psalm 73).
Satan uses material things to deceive a lot of people, not to believe that God is the provider of all material wealth, and prevent them from acknowledging and worshipping the true God (Matt. 4:8-9, Luke 4:5-7).
We must realize that the power to get wealth is a gift from God (Deut. 8:18, Eccl. 5:19).
Therefore, we must not be distracted spiritually by the prosperity of the wicked, God has allowed it, and it cannot be changed.
We must be satisfied with our financial conditions (1 Tim. 6:6).
Religious Falsehood
Many religious sets with divergent doctrines, beliefs, and practices exist before worldwide even in Christendom, denominationalism dominates and overwhelms the system in so much that one wonders if there is only one true and acceptable way to God.
The various activities of these religious groups especially denominational churches have led some away from the true church and many Christians’ spiritual maturity is being affected negatively.
We must focus on Christ and His church and be spiritually strong as religious falsehood is a fulfilment of the Scriptures (Matt. 24:24; 1 Tim. 4:1-3).
Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naïve people.
Increasing Wickedness
Since sin entered the world, man’s wickedness toward man has been on the increase. No wonder, Zik of Africa, said “man’s inhumanity to man is the worst.”
After the sin of disobedience was committed in the garden of Eden, envy, and murder were recorded against Cain (Gen. 3:1-6; 4:3-8).
The increasing sin and wickedness of man led to Noah’s flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 7:8,9,18,19).
Majority of the people are always partaking in sinful and wicked activities (Exodus 23:2).
We must not be troubled with the increasing rate of crimes, sinful and wicked activities, for they are also fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 24;12; 2 Tim. 3:1-7).
Disappointment, Defeat or Failure
Disappointment especially from fellow Christians disturbs and affects our spiritual maturity negatively.
For instance, a brother or sister who is disappointed during courtship with the partner getting married to another person is very painful but there is nothing he or she can do about it. He or she must cope. When we are defeated or failed in some circumstances, we are downcast but we cannot change it rather we should press forward for greater achievements.
The Death of Loved Ones
Physical death is an inevitable end for man consequent to sin (Gen. 2:17; 3:1-6; Rom. 5:12). Once it happens, we must cope like believers, as it cannot be changed (1 Thess. 4:17-23).
People of the world sometimes sorrow over their loved ones who died and incur additional problems – a woman cried over the death of her daughter for several weeks and later got blinded. This must not happen to Christians as Job lost all his children in a day and still gave thanks to God (Job 1:20-21; 1 Thess 5:18).
CONCLUSION
Things that cannot be changed are spilled milk on the sand which cannot be gathered.
We must be at peace and live with them through the grace of God (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
Only Christ can change unchangeable situations.
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