Wow.... just WOW....

While scores of folks are following the last few episodes of House, I am faithful to good 'ole Bones. And because I have Netflix, I don't even have to wait for a marathon on TV; I can make my own! In one of the latest episodes I had watched, I heard a quote that I found to be rather profound. Camille is trying to prove a point about the current mystery dealing with human nature, and says, 'People change, but not their nature.'


And so sparked the debate in my mind- It's one that I have struggled with for several years. Especially in today’s society where we are influenced by media screaming things like ‘once a cheater, always a cheater’ and consistently showing the evil of humans. Do people ever actually change? What happens when one accepts Christ, and they become new? Have they in fact changed or are they the same, but rather now live by a new set of standards and* and a new mindset?


A few hours ago my mom found the post-it that I had jotted those words onto and so the discussion began. I think I am on the verge of developing my opinion on the matter.


'People change, but not their nature'


Okay, first of all let's set the definition of human nature (obviously it's up for debate, but for the sake of my argument) as being the distinguishing characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally. (As in from birth... their predisposition to the world around them.)


So. A child is born. Let's call him Jimmy. Jimmy grows up in today's world surrounded by the views of an individualistic society. He cheats on his girlfriend, steals, does drugs, gets drunk on the weekends, and does who knows what else. Years later he gives his life to Christ, and his whole life is changed. He becomes a faithful follower of Christ and devotes the rest of his time on earth living a life worthy of his calling. Now the questions are-- A) Has he 'changed', and B) Has his 'nature' changed? C) And lastly… just because he’s given his life to Christ, does this mean that he no longer struggles with sins of the earthly flesh? (As in, just because he’s accepted Christ, has he changed for good? …and I dare ask it… has he by default, lost his need for grace? For if we are indeed ‘good’ what would be the purpose of grace?)


Alright… now before you bring out the pitchforks; hear me out…haha
(In my opinion,) I feel that Jimmy (as a living human being) has not ‘changed’. I feel that the nature of Jimmy has not changed. I would argue that yes, spiritually he has changed and become anew through the blood of Jesus Christ. However in his human flesh, he is still the ‘same’ person he was before his salvation. The difference being now that he will adapt to his new life in Christ by changing the choices he makes according to the will of God. He will let God lead the choices he makes.Think about this… If his father was an alcoholic, then Jimmy has a predisposition to be an alcoholic. Now Jimmy has given his life to Christ, and because of that sees the sin in debauchery and addiction; and therefore CHOOSES to say ‘no’ to alcohol. Does that mean he will never be tempted to drink? Absolutely not! HOWEVER, because of his ‘change’ and the new life in Christ, it will be easier to say ‘no’ (the strength one has with and through the Lord is astounding), and he will be able to do it with confidence knowing that debauchery is a sin, and that a predisposition to alcoholism is something he does not want to mess with.


Here’s my thought process. God is sovereign. He is the Creator, He is the Alpha and Omega, He is greater than any understanding that i will ever have of Him. He has the power to truly ‘change’ completely the NATURE of a human. HOWEVER, think about the purpose of grace. He MUST become greater… and I must become less… (i am nothing. And He is God.) What would be the point of repentance and grace? Also, while we’re on the topic, think about free will. If you gave up your very nature, wouldn’t that in a way be giving up your free will? God created us to be different and unique. He knit (KNIT) my inmost being. I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made. God created me in the way that He did with a purpose for my life. With that creation though, He also gave me free will to choose. While I am young and immature, I will not understand that ‘free will’ to choose the path nor the responsibility it carries, and will therefore make decisions based on selfish desires and sinful nature (thanks for that adam and eve… lol). But once I give my life to Christ, once I am spiritually made anew, I am in fact a ‘new’ person, because I know that my purpose in life is to follow Christ and use my free will to make life choices and live a life that is pleasing to God.


… if by the salvation through Christ we could ‘change’ into ‘good’ (some of you lucky ones know my stance on the idea of innate goodness) human beings, than what would be the point of grace? Why would we even need it?


My mom made a very astute observation. Think about Paul… he went from murdering Christians (thinking that was the right thing) to being ….well… the epitome of what a true follower should be. (For lack of a better term). In that case, it is very likely that God changed the very nature of a man. But even after his coming to Christ, he still had struggles… because we are in fact human, and we do in fact NEED Christ for our entire lives… not just for a moment in time.


With the grace of God, we can change our life, make decisions, and even have a mindset to be that of ‘like Christ’.But our very nature, I truly believe does not change. Our very nature is the gift of free will that God has bestowed upon us. I wonder if He does not change our ‘nature’ only because it magnifies our need FOR a Savior.


And we are left with just that… the beauty of grace. I just simply can’t get over it; we are of a sinful nature… we need grace, and we need it abundantly. Every day. Without God, we are nothing. Without God, we have nothing. Without God, there is no purpose for our existence. God… He IS the Alpha and Omega… He IS the Creator of all…. He IS the reason we live!