Remarks From the Reverend

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” – Ezekiel 36:26-27 NKJ

We are coming to a new year and 2025 will be the beginning of changes. Many people voted last month looking for change. Well, change will happen, but not in the way expected, unfortunately. Most Americans voted with either their pocket books or they voted thinking different, more conservative politicians in office will bring renewed liberty, smaller government and fewer conflicts internationally. That may be true in 2025; however, a deep look at what is planned will bring dismay, disappointment and discouragement for many. Things aren’t what they have been promoted by the conservative politicians. Initially more money will fill your pockets, but it will be at the expense of much of what this country has stood for, or what we think it stood for. Further, there is more being done on the international level that is being promoted as positive changes to bring about peace; yet, the end will not be what is expected. The point is that real change doesn’t come through regulations and laws that force people to conform to a particular way of thinking by a small group of people imposing their opinions on the masses. It is one thing to express an opinion, whether factual or not, and entirely a different thing to force that opinion on others, especially when it contradicts or suppresses truths revealed in God’s holy word. Over the next 12 to 36 months we will see in which direction the changes that are planned will go. Regardless, real change cannot come through the law or from ourselves. Will-power or just changing our outward conduct isn’t real change. Real change, to be truly effective, must come from within; a change of heart and the desires of the person in humble submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, according to His written word, the Bible.

Sadly, we are born with a sin nature (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-19). As a result we are inclined to hate God, our Creator, and our neighbor. The evidence of this is seen all around us. Hearts are hardened to hearing the truth; in fact, the depth of hardened hearts is so great there are many who would rather embrace a lie rather than the truth; refuse to do that which is right for personal gain or to satisfy a personal desire. Having forsaken the God of truth as revealed in the Bible; people are embracing gods of their own imagination. As a result, there is much chaos, confusion and conflict and real change is just a fleeting notion. Only by confessing our sins: our rebellion against God, our Creator, and our selfish desires and turning to Jesus Christ, putting our trust wholly in Him and His one atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, salvation and everlasting life, will real change be evidenced. It will evidence a heart that has been changed by God, the Holy Spirit, regenerating our hearts and making us alive from being dead in our trespasses and sins.

Will 2025 be a year of real change or superficial man-made changes for you? Will you continue to turn your back on the Lord God who has revealed Himself in the Bible: our Creator and Sustainer of all that there is; who is the Redeemer of sinners like you and me, our Savior and our Deliverer. Will you continue to walk down the path following ever-changing man-centered opinion and laws? Will you continue to believe the lies of those who have their hearts set against the only true and living God; hearts that have rejected the truth as recorded in Holy Scriptures, the Bible? Will you continue to seek your salvation in men or in yourself? Or will you repent of your sins and by faith come to Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, for your peace and comfort in this life and in the one to come, in eternity?

Will 2025 be a year of real change and hope because you put your trust in Jesus Christ and Him alone; and not in the ways and devises of ungodly men following after their own selfish desires and vain dreams that empower them and enslave you?

Pray that the Lord will bring real change in you by giving you a new heart and new life in Jesus Christ so that you will begin to live your life by faith, putting your trust in Jesus Christ alone for peace, hope and joy to the glory of God.

Rev. Richard Stetler, of Hartley, is the CEO and founder of Reformation Gospel Ministries. Visit http://www.reformationgospelministries.org for more information.