Reformation Starts At Home

I have heard of a minister who, wishing to bring the truth home to the hearts and consciences of his people, said that he should like to pass a Reform Act, — that everybody should reform one person, and then all would be reformed. He meant that they should all reform themselves, but one man said, “The minister is quite right; everybody is to reform one, and I am going home to reform our Mary.” That is often our idea, — that we must reform somebody else; but if we could bring ourselves to feel that weeding our own garden, and watering our own plants, and fulfilling our own vocation is what God requires of us, how much better it would be for the entire Church of Christ.1

The scope of problems such as poverty and education are large and the organized assistance of the government is very effective; but the desire to sacrifice ones time, energies and monies needs to manifest and take action first within oneself before expecting others to do the same. When this manifests in yourself, then you are now embodying the reality of that which you speak and desire to come true. The very thing you seek is making it’s way into the world, and you become an example of the true goodness of the thing which you seek.

Your hands-on experience can be used to both temper your approach to others, and provide guidance based on real experience rather than guidance based on imaginary ideals.  Blasting ideals with brute strength is not as effective as gentle guidance built from the wisdom of someone who has walked the walk and talked the talk

Start Reformation at Home

I’ve heard it say that Christians get together to talk about people outside the room. Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth to this; but consider it is equally common among non-Christians to get together for intellectual conversation, mulling over the politics and religions of the World. We all like to blast our complaints and disgusts at the evils and insufficiencies of the world around us. Imagine if all that energy was driven into self-reflection, analyzing the thoughts and deeds of the day; searching for solutions either mentally or physically on our knees before God; devising plans for self-reform and carrying out those plans.

We don’t have immediate control over the government, but we do have immediate control over ourselves. We may lack the will and the desire, so perhaps reform starts there. Each of us needs to spend the time to quiet the mind before God in prayer, searching the Scripture, talking with our spouses and children and discovering where reformation is needed.

Christians, with the help of the Holy Spirit, have a perfect counsellor to guide us in this reform. What a comfort it is to know that our schemes for reform can be guided by the third person of the triune God and the infallible Word which He has spoken. An inexhaustible resource is available to the faithful.

If you are not a Christian and desire reform, start with reformation of your soul through Jesus Christ. God’s plan for moral reformation is simple. Each person is in need of the reformation of the soul due to sin. We have all fallen short of having personal righteousness. We all have need of moral reformation. Jesus Christ is that person who brings total reform to our souls, cleansing it of sin, bringing it from death to life. Call on God for forgiveness of your sins and embrace Jesus Christ as your Savior and Reformer.

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