As people, we’re often very uncomfortable with change. We have our comfort zone, people we’re comfortable around, restaurants we enjoy, and situations we’re comfortable in. Even when we recognize that there’s something out there that might be better, we struggle to make change now to obtain that better thing. For example, saving money now will help us in retirement; why don’t we save more money now? Everyone wants the end reward, but nobody really wants to put in the effort to get it. Everyone wants better, but nobody want’s change. Let’s look at 3 people who were unwilling to change, though they wanted some better things.

THE RICH YOUNG RULER – BEING PERFECT

HIS NEGATIVE EXAMPLE

(Matthew 19:16–26)
* The rich young ruler wanted to be perfect. The rich young ruler inquired of Jesus what he needed to do to be right in the sight of God.
* He didn’t want to give up his wealth. Jesus clearly told the rich young ruler that he needed to sell all that he had and to give his possessions to the poor. As he walked away sorrowful, it was clear that he was not comfortable with the kind of change in lifestyle Jesus was requiring of him.

APPLICATION

  • We also want to be perfect … will we be too selfish? While we may from time to time ask ourselves what is lacking in our life, if we find the answer, we tend to forget about it if it would be too hard. For example, say you realized that your earthly companions were leading you astray – would you sever ties with them for the sake of your soul or would you continue spending time with them lest you have to face an awkward conversation?
  • Or will we give up whatever is standing in our way? What if Jesus told YOU to sell all your possessions and give the proceeds to the poor – would you do it? Oh, but He has called you to open your hand to those in need! If we truly love our brother, we will not hold back our hand of generosity to them, as John said, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17).

A POSITIVE CONTRAST – THE EARLY CHURCH

  • They recognized the needs of their own. They weren’t selfishly looking out for themselves.
  • They took action to fill that need. Those in the early church were more than willing to give up their earthly possessions for the benefit of their brethren. “…had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” (Acts 2:42–45). “…Nor was there anyone among them who lacked … and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” (Acts 4:32–35).

NAAMAN – BEING HEALED

HIS NEGATIVE EXAMPLE

(2 Kings 5)
* He wanted to be healed. Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, wanted to be healed of his leprosy.
* He didn’t want to humble himself. Naaman wanted healing but was furious when he found out how that healing was to come, as someone of his importance surely would not wash himself in the dirty Jordan river. He was unwilling to change his attitude based on his own self-importance.

APPLICATION

  • We also want to be healed … will we be too proud? While we want the forgiveness of the disease of sin in our life, we’re often unwilling to lower ourselves to recognize that we’ve sinned at all. It is easier to look at the sins of others rather than ourselves. It is more comfortable to ignore our shortcomings because of pride.
  • Or will we humble ourselves? We need healing from our sinfulness, and this should cause us to humble ourselves each day on our knees in prayer and sincere repentance from our sinful thoughts and actions. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (Romans 6:12–13).

A POSITIVE CONTRAST – SAUL ON THE ROAD

  • Saul recognized that he was lost in his sin.
  • He took action to get rid of that sin. A man who persecuted the church of God and was relentless in his pursuit of those who taught Christ, Saul was converted on the road to Damascus, was buried in baptism, and from that day forward lived a life of dedicated service to God and His word. (Acts 22:6–21)

THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL – GOING HOME

THEIR NEGATIVE EXAMPLE

(Exodus)
* They wanted to go home. The children of Israel wanted freedom & deliverance.
* They didn’t want to make the journey. As they journeyed to Canaan we know the struggles that the children of Israel faced, how they complained and begged to return to Egypt. They wanted a better home, but were unwilling to make the difficult journey.

APPLICATION

  • We also want to go home … will we be stopped by earthly pleasures. While we look for a heavenly home, many are unwilling to make the difficult journey and turn back to a life of worldly pleasure. Many will profess a desire for the next life, but spend every waking moment feeding the desire of this life.
  • Or will we stay focused on our heavenly home? We need to keep our eyes on the promised land, the hope of heaven that awaits us. No longer entangling ourselves in the cares of this world, we should walk the narrow way that leads to life. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:1–5).

A POSITIVE CONTRAST – ABRAHAM

  • Abraham knew the land which God had promised him was better.
  • He took action to get it. Clearly a man of great faith, Abraham wanted a better home and trusted in God enough to pack up and move. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8–10).

CONCLUSION

What ‘better’ things do you want in your life, spiritually speaking? – Service to God, Worship, Our Spiritual Walk, Loving One Another, Concern for Lost Souls, Knowledge & Understanding of God’s Will, Teaching, Giving, Prayer, Compassion, Attitudes, Love of God, Spiritual Maturity & Strength, Hospitality, Humility, etc.?
Acknowledging or even desiring these ‘better’ things is not enough! We have to be ones who put these ‘better’ things into practice in our life for them to do us any good.