Topic: Can The Lord Almighty Change The Nature Of A People?

[Studying_Orthodoxy]

In the book of Jeremiah 13:23 it is written: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."

This verse suggests that if a person or people have an evil nature that they cannot change. Just as an Ethiopian cannot change his skin and the leopard cannot change his spots the one who does evil cannot do good.

Such a verse concerns me as I am from a people and nation which have fallen into many sinful acts, to some extent much greater than in other countries. While most here would say that acceptance of Christ would be the solution in this case, what worries me most is the thought that certain negative traits may be inherent in a people and unchangeable, therefore something of great shame to me. In my country there is binge drinking, sexual immorality and other vices. These exist in other countries but in mine they are on a grand scale. Always I had told myself that I am not like those people and that such things are not in my nature. Yet now I read this verse which I fear suggests such traits are inherent in my people. What I want for my children would be that they can be free of these thing and be able to live with honour and dignity.

Is there really no way for the nature of a people to be changed? What if I pray that the Lord Almighty would change the nature of my people to one that while still inclined to sin, as are all men, avoids the excesses to which they fall into it? An Ethiopian cannot change his skin and a leopard cannot change its spots. However the Lord Almighty is able to. Therefore my hope is that if I pray to the Lord Almighty for my nature not to be wicked to extreme extents that I would while still a sinner not be naturally inclined to absolute excessive debauchery. I pray that this may be so.

[LBK]

Repentance is possible to even the worst of sinners. Difficult, but not impossible, with God's help. St Mary of Egypt is a prime example, and she is by no means the only one.

[WPM]

Re: Can The Lord Almighty Change The Nature Of A People?

Yes.

[NicholasMyra]

In the book of Jeremiah 13:23 it is written: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."

This verse suggests that if a person or people have an evil nature that they cannot change. Just as an Ethiopian cannot change his skin and the leopard cannot change his spots the one who does evil cannot do good.

The 'evil-natured' people in question are the Israelites.

God saved and redeemed Israel.

Therefore, the Scriptures testify to the possibility of change.

Read the rest of Jeremiah.

[JamesR]

God saved and redeemed Israel.

 I thought they screwed up and failed, so God saved the Gentiles instead?

[Cyrillic]

God saved and redeemed Israel.

 I thought they screwed up and failed, so God saved the Gentiles instead?

Well, no. The first proselytes were Jews.

[Studying_Orthodoxy]

This is encouraging to hear. Thank you, friends. At least there is hope that the condition of my nation can improve. For those of you who think this is not an important issue, remember this, if you are inclined to evil then it is harder for you to be a good person.

Who does not want to have positive attributes?

[Pericles]

Well, no. The first proselytes were Jews.

Well no the first converts were Christians doh!

[Romaios]

Well, no. The first proselytes were Jews.

Well no the first converts were Christians doh!

"The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

[podkarpatska]

Don't play semantic tricks, the first Christians did come from among the Jews.

[NicholasMyra]

God saved and redeemed Israel.

 I thought they screwed up and failed, so God saved the Gentiles instead?

No, James.

The Israel of God in the Messiah is the Church, which is from the Jews and now includes Gentiles. Unfaithful branches (those Jews who rejected Christ) were cut off; just the unfaithful ones.

[NicholasMyra]

Well, no. The first proselytes were Jews.

Well no the first converts were Christians doh!

They are not opposites.

[erimos]

Leopards remain as they are, and Etheopians cannot change the colour of their skins, unless they take lessons from pop stars. However, Christians are reborn sinners... Changed... And become Christ-like. No longer they live, but Christ lives in them. Each strives to ascend towards heaven with contrition, repentance, confession, and the grace of God. There is hope with every breath we take.

[Faith2545]

God saved and redeemed Israel.

 I thought they screwed up and failed, so God saved the Gentiles instead?

Unfaithful branches (those Jews who rejected Christ) were cut off; just the unfaithful ones.

Yes, but aren't these people (those jews who rejected Christ) still around and the reason why the world is the way it is? They are continuing to reject Christ & Christians alike. If they don't see the tremendous fault in their ways, how can/will they be saved? Despite as religious and faithful as the claim to act/be?

[JamesRottnek]

God saved and redeemed Israel.

 I thought they screwed up and failed, so God saved the Gentiles instead?

Unfaithful branches (those Jews who rejected Christ) were cut off; just the unfaithful ones.

Yes, but aren't these people (those jews who rejected Christ) still around and the reason why the world is the way it is? They are continuing to reject Christ & Christians alike. If they don't see the tremendous fault in their ways, how can/will they be saved? Despite as religious and faithful as the claim to act/be?

You know, there once was a man from a small town in the Middle East.  He said "Judge not lest ye be judged."