The indispensable 4-step process to genuine Life-change

Read Jeremiah 36.

How a person responds to the word of God does not change God's word.

This chapter provides some details about the writing of the Scriptures.
God spoke to Jeremiah (v.2).  Jeremiah dictated what God said to Baruch, who wrote God's word on a scroll (v.4).  When certain officials heard what God said, they were afraid of the consequences presented (v.15).  They knew immediate action was required.  However, when King Jehoiakim heard the same message, he cut the scroll into pieces and burned them (vv.23-24).  He had no fear of God nor the consequences.

There is a consistent process throughout the Bible and to this day of letting others know God's truth.
1. Presenting what God has said.
The number one reason liberal churches are dying is that they have forsaken the teaching of the Scriptures for culturally acceptable speeches.  The number one reason people are not mature in their faith is they do not know and have not been taught what God has said.  The Scriptures are the inerrant and infallible word of God and it will not change.  "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." (Psalm 119:160). Without the foundation and focus being on the Bible, there is an absence of truth to the message.

2. Hearing what God has said.
In order for the Scriptures to have any affect on a life, the person must be listening with an open heart.  We need to be like Samuel who said, "Speak, LORD, for your servant hears."  When a person humbly hears God's word, life-change is about to happen.

3. Turning from sin to obedience of what God said.
What spurs a person to respond in obedience is great respect for who God is and the fear of the consequences if they do not.  Selfish, sinful, pride closes one's heart and causes them to believe the lie that they can take it or leave it.

4. Experiencing God's forgiveness.
As explained in verses 3 and 7, the judgment is coming.  The only sane alternative is for people to acknowledge they have been going in the wrong spiritual direction, "plea for mercy," and receive God's forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul explained the same process in reverse order in Romans 10:13-14.
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"