Tuesday, November 1, 2011
John 8:31-32 "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
A NEW REFORMATION?
Do we need a new Reformation today? It depends whom you ask.
The world around us says, "Yes! The church needs to change with the times." The politically correct tell us we can't speak of true and false teaching. Others suggest that we need to be more open-minded and accept homosexuality as an "alternate lifestyle" and to give our stamp of approval to same sex marriage. We are told we should "re-interpret" the Bible until our teachings conform with societies views.
Do we need that kind of Reformation? It wouldn't be a reformation. It would be a defection from God's Word. Why did the 16th century Reformation take place? It took place because the church of the day had in large part left God's Word behind -- or at least elevated church tradition over God's Word.
Have we departed from God's Word or replaced it with tradition? Have we elevated reason or emotion over Scripture? If so, we do need a Reformation!
However, if the Gospel of Christ is still being proclaimed in truth and the sacraments are being used according to Christ's institution and command, then there is no need of a reformation as in the 16th century, at least not a reformation of our teaching.
While the world around us urges us to depart from the Word of God, Jesus' words of promise still ring out from John's gospel (8:31-32): "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
