God’s Truth Never Changes
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 CSB
This verse is our 2024 VBS theme verse! Vacation Bible School is one of my top 5 favorite things each year to take part in! We welcome kids from pre-k through completed 5th grade for five consecutive four-hour days. Kids get a chance to learn a story from the Bible, make a craft, learn about missionaries, play games, have snacks, and enjoy learning some awesome songs with dances. It is a blast every year!
This year we have such a great message for kids, so I wanted to share it with you! Our week’s verse is this beautiful truth from Romans. While we live in the world and take part in everyday activities that involve being in the world, as believers we cannot be conformed to the world. We cannot change who we are to fit in with culture. Instead we should be transformed, within our minds. Literally our mindset and worldview have to be adjusted to match that of God’s! This verse tells us why this is so important- so that we can discern what the will of God for us is. When we are living like the world lives and we are engaging in sin, we aren’t able to discern God’s perfect will.
On top of this great verse, there are truths that we are expressing during the week. The motto for the week is “God’s truth never changes!” I am so incredibly grateful for this promise!!
Truth comes from God.
Are you familiar with the popular saying in culture that has something to do with “my truth” or “your truth”? Any time I hear this said, it makes me crazy, because there is one Truth and His name is Jesus. Jesus tells us that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) The world and the enemy will always try to twist the truth or misrepresent it so we fall into temptations. Just look at the serpent in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2-3. We need to always keep in mind that the real truth in all situations comes from God alone. Anything God says is Truth.
God’s plan is best.
I am a planner through and through. I like to have an idea of how my week is going to go before Monday gets here. I plan what time to get up in the morning, what I’ll eat during the day, or how to best get a chore done. But you know who is even better of a planner? The One who planned and created the entire universe! Culture says that we should only do what makes us happy and if we are happy, that is all that matters. But, as believers, we know that is not true. There is no scripture in the Bible that reminds us that happiness is the best path. Instead Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
Everyone needs Jesus.
Every person we come into contact with, no matter their age, race, disability status, level of education, gender, relationship status- everyone. We all need Jesus. We need Him to have lived His human life, to have died a sinner’s death after having not sinned Himself. We need Him now every day to intercede for us in heaven. People in the world may think that if we are just good enough and do good things, then we will go to heaven. But Jesus teaches that the only way to experience salvation is through Him. (John 14:6) When we admit that He is who He claims, when we believe that He came to save us from our sins, and when we confess our sins and our devotion to Him- then and only then are we able to experience a relationship that extends for eternity.
Jesus is the only way.
There are many people in society who believe that all religions, though as different as they are, all eventually lead to the same end result. This is simply false. The Bible is very clear when it states that ONLY JESUS is the way to salvation and eternal life. Not only do we need Jesus, but He is literally all we need.
Speak the truth in love.
While these are all so good, this one may be my favorite! When I was in one of my teacher prep classes in college, I had a professor explain to me the best way to give feedback to students and families. It was following this principle and using a delicious oreo as an example. You know the cookie with the two chocolate cookies and creamy white cream in the middle? The two chocolate cookies are representative of the positive comments, all true. And the middle is the concern or item that needs improvement. So here is an example for a church setting. If my main concern is that the air conditioning wasn’t low enough on Sunday morning in the sanctuary, my message to the Pastor may look something like: “hey, so I really loved the sermon message this morning on loving our neighbors. It is always good to be reminded of how to make that happen when we are upset. I wanted to let you know that I was uncomfortably warm in the sanctuary during the service. But, I am grateful we are able to have nice comfy pews to sit in as we listen to your message.” Obviously a silly example, but hopefully you get my point.
Have you ever heard the saying that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar? Believe me- I get it. I tend to get a little self-righteous and want to start spewing vinegary truth all over the place to anyone within earshot. But how does that follow God’s command in Ephesians 4:15 to speak the truth in love? When we are loving one another, we are seeking to put their interests above our own and anticipate their reaction and feelings before we speak, even if we have hard truths to share with them.
All of these truths are valuable for us to keep in mind as believers. We are commanded to follow God’s Word, which speaks about His truth multiple times.
How can you be more intentional with standing against the culture but standing with God’s truth?
