3 Keys to Reformation from an Unlikely Place
Change is a constant, even in the Kingdom of God. Why do we feel uncomfortable with it now but look forward to it when we meet Christ face to face?
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 says: Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Reformation is ongoing because Satan is always reforming. When we get stale, we find that reformation is harder to swallow.
Here are some observations on church reformation looking through the lens of 1 Corinthians 15:
(1) Reformation will happen whether we like it or not
For many, reformation is a mystery: they don’t understand it nor do they comprehend the need for it. They rebel when the choice is upon them. For others, reformation is about fear because they have been putting it off for so long and they know that it will be painful.
Reformation is about change, and people prefer dollars. Most people don’t like change, even though it is a necessity in order to grow, adapt, and make continued progress. Most struggle with it, even if they are comfortable with it. It seems to happen so rapidly, that it feels impossible to keep up with.
The reality is, that reformation either happens in manageable steps or with a cataclysmic boom. If we are aware that things need to be adapted and continuously checked, then reformation can be a joyous thing as we see certain gains; if we create too much of an emotional tie to the current structures we have in place, then we will never be comfortable with reformation. At that point, when it happens, it happens.
Let’s not let it happen to us without our consent or control.
(2) Reformation is a must
Some things are a must. When we stay in protection mode, things perish, or at best, don’t grow or expand.
The word reformation carries with it the heavy tone of complete overhaul, but it doesn’t have to. It’s simply a statement of fact, that things must change. How each church and Christian carries that message is different, but God wants to comfort us in this passage as to the power of reformation, that it can be something exciting as we see movements forward and complacency left behind.
Here’s one thing to say: reformation is not always happening to all things at the same time. Certain systems work for a reason, and it’s a good thing to ride the grace that we see our Lord bless through those good times. Progress does take hard, steady work. The hard task is deciding when a system is no longer making progress and being willing to do something about it.
Don’t let the word must be a scary proposition.
(3) Reformation is about victory
God wants us to look forward to movements of reformation for the sake of victory. We just don’t look at it that way. Most people see it as loss and possible destruction. I must confess, most leaders and pastors don’t frame vision casting from a position of victory, so maybe it’s time we adopt a vision of victory instead of talking about change or reformation as a necessary evil. It’s not a necessary evil but a chance at impossible glory. Would you bet your church or ministry on that?
Reformation always come with a risk or a cost. The weight of victory also carries that uncertainty. The confession of faith in Jesus Christ means that we must reject all other religions and embrace one path. There is an uncertainty to that because we can’t see past death and bring that experience back with us to reassure our hearts that we made the right call. But we believe, with the witness of countless people before us, that the faith we have will lead to victory, and all that death is will be lost in comparison.
Victory is a sliding scale, and because of that, victory is often a sight unseen. How would a great reformer challenge that statement, or perhaps confirm it? How can God give you rest in your labor?
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Reformation, like anything else that sees results, is about seeing the mountaintop. We see the exoneration of our beliefs, hard work, and tears. We see the fulfillment of hours, perhaps a generation, of toil. What we don’t often think about is the sacrifice made to see it happen. I think that this is what scares a lot of people. We want the assurance that it will work out perfectly, or, at least, in great supply. Yet, like anything else, reformation takes work. If God understands that in His reforming work, so should we. Why would we get it easier than God did? Oh, right, I think we did. Let us always remember that the reformation we accomplish is so much easier than what God was able to do, even though it seems to be the most painful thing we’ve ever done. Amen.
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