Reform

Reformed or Not Reformed?
 
The average church has been in a state of man centered worship for years now. I don't want to sound pessimistic, but most church decisions are made with little or no thought as to their biblical nature and whether they glorify God. The reformation began because the church had fallen into such a terrible estate. The time of the reformers saw a return to biblical christianity and a rejection of the worldly church. The rejection of the papacy did not occur because the church disliked Rome, but because true christianity has no place for a pope and a system of religion that rejects the authority of the infallible Word of God for the flawed and fallible teachings of men. The love of God caused the reformers to seek the counsel of God through His Word and to reject the corruption of Rome. The reformers were a bold group of men that were compelled by their love of God to stand against a church that God has rejected. They didn't just stand against Rome, but for TRUTH. The cry of "Sola Scriptura" was the battle cry of these brave men. The reformers were followed by other great men who felt compelled to follow God and turn further away from unbiblical worship. The puritans theologians and pastors came along at a time when the church needed to be strengthened, and they stood strong for true christianity. The Lord has given the church the gift of men of this character throughout time to bring the people of God back to Him. The conviction of all these great men of God has been a desire for God, for a holy church, for pure (biblical) worship, and all these finding themselves manifested in and by God centered theology. The protestant church has always labored to be biblical in its doctrine and function, accomplishing this most plainly when it remembers the need of reformation is continuous. We must never forget "to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ". One of the central themes of all these great men of God has been the biblical sovereignty of God, and the absolute inability of men to do anything to effect their own salvation. They believed that the scriptures portray all men to be fallen, and in this fallen estate incapable of even seeking God, and thus absolutely dependent upon the grace of God for their redemption. They believed in a pure grace that is a monergistic work of God, rather than the synergistic work of men. This understanding of a salvation wrought in God causes a man to believe and live differently. When salvation is truly of grace and has no part in works, the human soul is robbed of every opportunity to boast, and is left with no choice but to fall prostrate before the living God. The church that chooses not to reform, chooses to backslide. The condition of the human soul is such that we grow comfortable with ourselves and our sin if we are not constantly taking ourselves before the counsel of God's Word. Churches don't really reform so much as individuals reform, and then led by the conviction of the Holy Spirit those surrounding that individual follow that person into a condition of greater reverence and desire for God, for a holy church, for pure (biblical) worship. Only when the church recognizes its dependence upon God and its inability to do anything of lasting value apart from Him, will it cry out for reformation and God according to the counsel of his own will and for his glory will be pleased to grant us revival. Sovereign Grace Baptist Church is seeking after this reformation and revival. We are aligning ourselves with the pure teachings of the reformers and the puritans and rejecting the man centered theology and worship of much of the contemporary church.
 

Rick Lauterbach

Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

---

The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. Get busy.