“Tell me what you think.”

Jesus wants to know.

“Tell me what you think about this: A man had two sons. He went to the first son and said, ‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ The son answered, ‘I will not go.’ But later the son changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said, ‘Son, go and work today in my vineyard.’ The son answered, ‘Yes, sir, I will go and work,’ but he did not go. Which of the two sons obeyed his father?”

The priests and leaders answered, “The first son.”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God before you do. John came to show you the right way to live. You did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. Even after seeing this, you still refused to change your ways and believe him. (Matthew 21:28-32)

God does not want us to refuse to change.

We can create a false line of reasoning when we conclude that since Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and we’re created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), we’re not supposed to ever change. Really? Take a look in the mirror. Consider what you know now that you didn’t know when you were 5 years old, 15 years old, 25 years old, and so on. You change. It’s part of life. It’s how God created you.

God doesn’t change, but he changes us. That’s what being in a thriving personal relationship with him is about. Consider what God says about growth.

You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts,to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. (Philippians 1:6)

Brothers and sisters, in the past I could not talk to you as I talk to spiritual people. I had to talk to you as I would to people without the Spirit—babies in Christ. The teaching I gave you was like milk, not solid food, because you were not able to take solid food. And even now you are not ready. You are still not spiritual, because there is jealousy and quarreling among you, and this shows that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of the world. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. It is the same with us. Now we see a dim reflection, as if we were looking into a mirror, but then we shall see clearly. Now I know only a part, but then I will know fully, as God has known me. (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)

If you’re not changing, you’re not growing. Sometimes we fail to grow because we’re stubborn. Sometimes we’re lazy. Sometimes we’re proud. Whatever the reason, set it aside. God wants you to change, and he wants to do the changing for you, but you have to seek and yield to him.

Are you ready to grow up today?