"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set" (Proverbs 22:28).
One of the very essential skills you must learn in order to succeed and maximize your opportunities in life is the art of making strategic changes at the appropriate time. Sometimes, life is like the game of football, where the successful and winning coach is the one who knows when and how to make critical changes at the appropriate time. For example, you must learn how to change from ideas and attitudes that are unprofitable to concepts that yield quality dividends. Whether we are talking about personal health, family, business or career, the winning individual is the one who has perfected the art of changing from what does not work to what works.
But in making your changes, an important rule to observe is to never go against the word of God. Whatever change you will make that will pitch you against God's holy ordinances must be avoided by all means, irrespective of the possible gains it promises. If you will be guiltless, never change the pattern of God or His established design. That is the "ancient landmark" the Bible is referring to, which our heavenly Father has set. For example, you may find a need to make some vital changes to enhance your self worth and boost your confidence. But a sex change or any other fundamental alteration of the "fearfully and wonderfully made" person that God created will set you on a head-on collision course with God which you can never survive. Indeed, all things are permissible unto you so long as they are not contrary to God's order.
Respect for God’s word and ordinances is key to fulfillment in life. In your attempt to get ahead in life, never change the program of God. For example again, God's program for marriage is clearly stated in the Bible. While it is unfortunate that many marriages are not working, and while I sincerely sympathize with people in such a case, we should nevertheless be conscious and cautious of taking a step that God expressly says that He hates (Malachi 2:16). The New Testament expressly says, "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: ... and let not the husband put away his wife" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Setting yourself up against God by taking decisions that flagrantly violate His commands will never resolve any issue. Before you quit your marriage (because you don't want to continue tagging along with what is not working), please consult God who ordained the institution.
The minister of God is free to make every change he feels necessary to enhance his ministry or church. But he must never adopt such changes that are not compliant with the word of God. When in your bid to succeed in life and ministry you run contrary to God's ordinance and violate His established order or agenda, you turn yourself into an enemy of God. Such was the case Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In his attempt to secure his kingdom, he made some changes pertaining to the worship of God. However, those changes which he devised in his own heart were in total conflict with God's ordinance for that time which stipulated that all Israel should worship in Jerusalem. For his error, Jeroboam's name became a byword in the annals of biblical history as the one who sinned and caused Isreal to sin against God.
Friends, you can change whatever you want in order to further your goals and success in life. But please don't change the word of God. For the word of God is eternal, settled forever. His ordinances are fixed; we cannot change them, neither can we change Him. Don't join the company of people who change "the truth of God into a lie" (Romans 1:25). Rather, use the truth of God's word to change your situation and to position yourself for God’s approval and good success.
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