Experiencing Genuine Reformation

Amidst the market-driven mentality, and our churches being run like coorporations, and amidst all the unorthodox doctrines being masqueraded as genuine, authentic, biblical Christianity, it is true that we need a modern reformation. Many of today's Christians go to churches to find entertainment rather than eternal life. Some friends of mine have left my church, which is firm in sound doctrine and biblical exegesis, and have went to a church in town that is not that. In fact, this church, the sixth largest church in Louisville has had Joel Osteen present on numerous occasions, and the church is a fan of Rob Bell. But, they can't tell the difference between our church, and that church. The lack of discernment of today's Christians proves to me that we need a modern reformation. Today's Christians have never read the Bible all the way through. If we are live on every word that comes from the mouth of God, then certainly we must be familiar with every word. Yet, that is not the case with Christians today. The lack of discipline shows me that we need a modern reformation. With the lack of sound doctrine, the lack of serious discernment, and the lack of spiritual discipline, how can we experience genuine reformation?

I believe we can gain our answer from the godly men who walked before us known as the Puritans. For one of my classes, I am reading J.I Packer's book, A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life. In this book, Packer's notes that the puritans used the word reform in the way that we use the word revival. Today, when we think of the word reform, it carries the idea of an external, visible change of something. When reforming a particular local church, that might include reforming the church's style of government, reforming various doctrinal positions, and other things. When the puritans used the word 'reform' they did not mean just an external change but, and inward change. They realized that for any authentic reform, or purification (as they sought to purify or reform the church), their must be inward revival. Their must be an inward renewal of zeal and passion for the Word of God, for the glory of God, and for the salvation of lost sinners.

Believers, if we want to see genuine, authentic reformation, we will have to be committed to an inward renewal of our minds and hearts, reviving every fiber of our being. Only then will we experience genuine reformation. We can change the externals, but then we are only like the pharisees. Only when we are being inwardly revived and renewed will we experience genuine reformation in our churches!