No One Needs to Stay the Way They Are

Have you ever heard the saying “A leopard never changes its spots”? Or “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”?
These expressions suggest that people never truly change. Yet nothing could be further from the truth of the Christian faith.

At its heart, Christianity is about transformation — about God’s power to renew us from the inside out. In his message this Sunday, “No One Needs to Stay the Way They Are,” Pastor Richard reminded us that change is not only possible but promised through faith in Jesus Christ.

1. The Need for Change

Every one of us has areas of our lives that fall short of God’s design. As Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Recognizing our need for change is the first step. Whether it’s a habit, an attitude, or a relationship that needs healing, God invites us to bring those areas to Him.

2. The Promise of Change

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.”
Through Jesus, we are made new — not by our willpower, but by God’s grace. Pastor Richard reminded us that change begins when we believe that transformation is possible.

3. God’s Power to Transform

True change comes from the Spirit of God working within us. Philippians 1:6 offers this confidence:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Transformation is not something we do alone; it is something God continues in us daily.

4. Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

Paul’s call in Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” — reminds us that real change begins in our thoughts and values.
Pastor Richard explained that transformation doesn’t mean acquiring more information, but gaining a new perspective shaped by God’s truth and priorities.

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit

Change that lasts is not born from human willpower, but from divine power. As Jesus promised in John 14:26,
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Holy Spirit enables us to do what we cannot do ourselves. We can speak to Him, ask for help, and trust Him to renew us daily.

6. The Hope of Ultimate Transformation

Change is a lifelong journey. We may not become perfect in this life, but our ultimate hope lies in being fully transformed when we stand before God. As 1 John 3:2 assures us,
“When Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Until that day, we keep growing, one step at a time, letting God shape us more and more into His image.

A Closing Invitation

At the end of the service, Pastor Richard invited anyone who feels God stirring change in their heart to come forward for prayer. You don’t have to face transformation alone.
In the family of faith, we walk together — encouraging, praying, and trusting that with God, no one needs to stay the way they are.

Watch the full service here