I do not speak of relative change here, like getting a new relationship, or a new job, but transformational change, where there is a fundamental shift in values and motives, from a self-focus (personal), to a Self-focus (humanity). Repentance is often defined as, "a change through the conscious evolution of purpose and action." I feel this definition of change is one of the best I have seen, but in my experience, when most people come up against an opportunity to change at the level of fundamental purpose they shy away. They say they want to be happy, and when that opportunity to be happy is presented, they choose to remain unhappy. Why is this?
2006-08-15 02:41:25 · 19 answers · asked by Mick Quinn:Power and Grace Book 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The answer is natural inertia. Sloth.
The greatest unhappiness in life is not to be a saint.
2006-08-15 02:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by zorro 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because we are all scared of change. We have been so caught up in the rat race and our values and morals are no longer an issue so when the opportunity arises to REALLY change ourselves and our actions it requires too much effort. Humans are lazy and scared of change. If our attention is focused on someone else, not ourselves, then we may be missing out on something!! We are a bunch of self-serving idiots.
2006-08-15 09:50:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm gonna go with a Lewis quote on this one...
"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." (CS Lewis "The Weight of Glory")
2006-08-15 09:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by Samantha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's why the world need people like you and me to teach people the truth about "conscious evolution of values, motives and practices that spur edifying prupose and action." This can only be achieved by faithfully "living" and "proclaiming" the good news of Jesus Christ.
2006-08-15 09:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by Tommy M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change often means sacrifice, and a lot of people don't want to lose everything they have for something they cannot be guaranteed of. Its natural human nature. They'd rather life be bad than life be worse. They just don't want to take that risk in the name of happiness. We're used to nearly everything in our lives to be done comfortably and we expect happiness to be served to us on a silver platter.
2006-08-15 09:56:03 · answer #5 · answered by Mujareh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you find out let me know. It is heart breaking. The only thing we can do is pray for others if we are in good standing with the Lord. One reason might be they love the world and the glory of it more than God. Another might be fear.
2006-08-15 09:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by Angel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change is scary for most people , even if the life they have is not a happy one , it is one they know and can rely on
to change would mean to be in a situation that is new and that takes away the comfort and security for a time
but i agree if we are not happy in who and what we are , we can and should change it
2006-08-15 09:47:29 · answer #7 · answered by Peace 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Grace unto you and peace,
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Indeed, repentance is chanGe, and biblically the "changed" we all are, is changed "from faith to faith" (from blind faith to seeing faith) in Romans, and "from glory to glory" (from law glory to grace glory) in 2Corinthians 3.
For we learn "the law is not of faith" in Galatians 3:12, and "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" in Romans 14:23.
We also learn (from scriptures written for our learning) law has glory, but grace glory is so exceedingly "much more" that by compare-i-son law fades to nothing at all (kinda like night glory of moon and stars fade to nothing at the coming of the day glory of the sun of righteousness).
We also go learn "what meaneth I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" (Mt 9:13) means I will have grace, and not law (Heb 10). For God NEVER desired sacrifice for sin (which is of the law and by the law), and NEVER took pleasure in it (Ps 40:6; Ps 51:16; Hos 6:6; Mt 9:13; Mt 12:7; Heb 10). Not to mention the promise (eternal life) comes after doing the will of God (I will have mercy and not sacrifice).
And in Prov 4 we learn when understanding is embraced the result is our head(Christ is the head of every man, and his head is God) is crowned with "grace glory".
The "grace" of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.
2006-08-15 09:58:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't know if there is an answerer to your question I'm a recovering drunk and addict. in recovering i must look within myself, with the help of daily meditation and prayer i don't for sure about being happy but I'm am content and at piece
2006-08-15 09:58:02 · answer #9 · answered by twocrows 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be happy, you don't have to fundamentally change, you just have to change your expectations to be more in line with reality.
2006-08-15 09:46:29 · answer #10 · answered by lenny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋