We are living in a world where people are bent on bending the will of others to our own liking. Thus, following the popularity is the trend of this age. All our lives are spent in an endless stream of consumer decision, and the people are trapped in the web of the deceptions of the world. So our need of this hour, as a people, is returning to the Lord in a spirit of thorough reformation. The way of reformation is not a set of technicalities, but plain, straightforward living and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The work of restoration and reform carried on by the returned exiles, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, presents a picture of a work of spiritual restoration that is to be wrought in the closing days of this earth's history. In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law must be repaired. Satan attempts to attack every foundation of our faith, bringing confusion in the family, in the church and in the society. We are to co-operate with God in building up the waste places. We are to be the repairers of the breach, restorers of path to dwell in. This is reformation.

Now, let us deal with the true reformation in the setting of four basic questions, before analyzing the foundation of enduring reformation.

1. What is true reformation?

2. Is true reformation necessary? If it is, how comprehensive should it be? What is the foundation of an enduring reformation?

3. How may true reformation become a living reality to us as individual and as church?

4. What will be the result of true reformation?

It is my purpose to answer the first two questions as briefly as possible by using inspired sources for guidance. The third question, the ‘how’ of true reformation, will take most of our time, while a short but hopefully enlightening answer will be given to the fourth question.

The Spirit of Prophecy gives this inspired definition: "A reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices" 1 SM 128. It means:

"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it". Isaiah. 1:6-20.

This is true reformation, and it is important for God’s children to experience it. It is final, and neglecting it could be fatal.

In this connection I want to read a searching, thought-provoking statement from Selected Messages, Book 1, pages 109&110:

"During the night of the first Sabbath of the Newcastle meeting, I seemed to be in meeting, presenting the necessity and importance of our receiving the Spirit. This was the burden of my labor--the opening of our hearts to the Holy Spirit. On one occasion Christ told His disciples, ‘I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.’ Their limited comprehension put a restraint on Him. He could not open to them the truths He longed to unfold; for while their hearts were closed to them, His unfolding of these truths would be labor lost. They must receive the Spirit before they could fully understand Christ's lessons. ‘The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,’ Christ said, ‘whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.’

" In my dream a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and asked every one who came for entrance, ‘Have ye received the Holy Ghost?’ A measuring-line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building. ‘Your size as a human being is nothing,’ he said. But if you have reached the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, according to the knowledge you have had, you will receive an appointment to sit with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb; and through the eternal ages, you will never cease to learn of the blessings granted in the banquet prepared for you.

"You may be tall and well-proportioned in self, but you cannot enter here. None can enter who are grown-up children, carrying with them the disposition, the habits, and the characteristics, which pertain to children. If you have nurtured suspicions, criticism, temper, self-dignity, you cannot be admitted; for you would spoil the feast. All who go in through this door have on the wedding garment, woven in the loom of heaven. Those who educate themselves to pick flaws in the characters of others, reveal a deformity that makes families unhappy, that turns souls from the truth to choose fables."

Notice briefly some very important points brought to light in this statement:

1. There is a marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19.9);

2. God is seeking for a people to attend it (Luke 14:16-24);

3. Those who are accepted as guests must meet a certain standard (Matt. 22:1-14);

4. This standard is set by God himself and not by man-not by the minister, neither by the church committee, nor by the union committee nor the general conference committee nor by the general conference in session. We talk about lowering the standards. Brethren, we cannot lower the standards. It is not within our providence. God Himself has set the standards, and man is powerless to alter them. We may not live up to them, and we do not live up to them in so many ways, but the standards of God still stand.

5. The ultimate test of our fitness to attend the marriage supper is determined by whether or not we have reached the full stature of man in Christ Jesus, "according to the knowledge we have had";

6. The angel sentinel stands ready to measure us; and

7. The work of the Holy Spirit is to help us measure up.

It is most significant that our fitness for kingdom of heaven is determined by whether or not we have reached the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, "According to the knowledge we have had." This means bringing our lives into full harmony with revealed truth, and for us Reformers this is comprehended in the revelation of the inspired scriptures and of the servant of the Lord. This is true reformation.

How Necessary Is It?

"God calls for a spiritual revival and a spiritual reformation. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord, until He will refuse to acknowledge them as His children. A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend." The Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902.

God said, "must," so this should settle the question for all of us today. It is the desperate need of the church in every area of its experience- in tithing, in Sabbath-keeping, in dress, in health, in our plans and activities, in our homes, in our churches, in our institutions and organizations, in our worship, and in all other matters, reformation is a "must."

There is no genuine repentance without it. There is no victorious living without it. The work will never be finished without it. We can never be ready for the coming of the Lord unless true reformation takes place in our lives, and in our churches.

We have drifted far from God’s plan and counsels in so many ways, and the full blessing of God cannot rest upon us as individuals or upon His church until we return to Him.

Let us take a moment or two to examine the tremendous message of the book of Malachi. This book deals almost exclusively with this subject and we should take time to list some of its startling insights.

According to the prophet, there are eight vital areas requiring reformation:

1. In our preoccupation with other things to the point that we are either unaware of or indifferent to the love of God. (Mal. 1:2).

2. In despising God’s name by manifesting unwillingness to really give him the lordship in our lives (Mal. 1:6).

3. In offering a polluted sacrifice-

a. By holding in contempt the table of Lord (verse 7);

b. By giving God less than our best (verse 8);

c. By serving for what we get out of it and refusing to serve unless we get what we want (verse 10);

d. In complaining about the demands of the work ((verse13);

4. In showing unfaithfulness to our original marriage vows (Chapter2, verse14-16). "He (God) hateth putting away."

5. In following a subtle, distorted theology (chapter 2,verse17, to Chapter 3, verse 3);

6. By robbing God in tithes and offerings (chapter 3, verse 8);

7. By secularizing the sacred and by using thoughtless, irreverent words (verses 14,15);

8. By ignoring the dynamic appeal contained in the Elijah message-- so appropriate for our days (chapter 4, verses 5, 6);

In this book the Lord has shown us clearly where we stand with our rationalizations, our intellectual maneuverings, our humanistic philosophy, our fuzzy theological conceptions, and our preoccupation with things of lesser importance. Now we must return. As we do, the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing such as there shall not be room to receive. This must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit!

"When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, [1] it transforms the life. [2]Sinful thoughts are put away, [3] evil deeds are renounced; [4] love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. [5] Joy takes the place of sadness, and the [6] countenance reflects the light of heaven. No one sees the hand that lifts the burden, or beholds the light descend from the courts above. The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God. DA 173.

It is the work of the Spirit of God to transform our lives by placing love, humility, and peace, instead of anger, envy and strife into our hearts. Consider this significant statement from Acts of the Apostles, page 551:

"Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another --this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. ‘We love Him, because He first loved us.’ In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the ruling principle of action. [1] It modifies the character, [2] governs the impulses, [3] controls the passions, and [4] ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, [5] sweetens the life and [6] sheds a refining influence on all around." AA 550.

"Unbelievers are watching to see if the faith of professed Christians is exerting a sanctifying influence upon their lives; and they are quick to discern the defects in character, the inconsistencies in action. Let Christians not make it possible for the enemy to point to them and say, Behold how these people, standing under the banner of Christ, hate one another. Christians are all members of one family, all children of the same heavenly Father, with the same blessed hope of immortality. Very close and tender should be the tie that binds them together." AA 550.

This love is misunderstood and misinterpreted in many ways. But Christ bids us to love one other as He loves us. Thus we are to bear testimony to the world. We are to go forward in willing obedience to this new command by loving one another. So closely are we to be united with Christ that we should be enabled to fulfill all His requirements. Satan understands the power of such testimony as a witness to the world -- what grace can do in transforming character. He will use every conceivable device to break this golden chain, which links us with God and our fellow man.

"If you love me keep my commandments". "If any one wants to follow me let him deny himself, take up the cross and follow me".

The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear, distinct lines the need of obedience to His law.

What is the purpose of law?

Rom. 3:20, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin."

How particular is God concerning Christian conduct?

James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all."

What do we, as God’s remnant people will understand the proper relation between law and gospel?

Rev. 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

It is an interesting fact that the New Testament gives divine sanction to each of the Ten Commandments. Obedient to the law of God through the blood of Jesus is the object of the everlasting or new covenant. Heb 13:20,21. Nothing can be added to Christ’s covenant after His death; for this reason before His crucifixion He instituted baptism and the lord’s supper; to commemorate His death and resurrection, that these memorials might become part of the new covenant John 4:1; Rom 6:3-5; Math 26:26-28.

"The one who walks by faith, trusting in God for help continually, lives under the new covenant" PP 431.

The individual, who walks by sight, trusting in his own strength, lives under the old covenant. Under which covenant are you living?

Many claim that the law is no longer needed because we are save by grace. Dear brethren, grace does not give permission to neglect the law. Some declare that Christ abolished the law. Christ’s death did not make the law of no effect. It did not kill the law, lessen its holy claims, nor did it detract from its sacred dignity. The death of Christ proclaimed the justice of His father’s law in punishing the transgressors, in that He consented to suffer the penalty of the law Himself, in order to save fallen man from its curse. " The death of Christ justified the claims of the law". 2T 201.

We should keep the law, because:

1. It is perfect. Psa.19: 7.

2. It is holy, just and good. Rom 7:10.

3. There is life in obedience to the commandments. Mat. 19:16-22.

4. Obedience to God's law is the great incentive to industry, economy, truthfulness, and just dealing between man and man. GC 489.

5. The law embraces our full duty to God and to our fellowmen. Mat. 22:34-40; GC 467.

6. The law points out sin. Rom. 3:20.

7. It is a spiritual mirror, as such; it reflects sin but cannot remove it. Jas.1: 23-25. 4T 294.

8. The law leads us to Christ. Gal. 3:24; DA 308.

9. The law in the heart establishes righteousness. Isa. 51:7;Psa.37: 31.

10. The law bears witness to righteousness. Rom. 3:21.

11. The law is the standard in the judgment. Ecc. 12:13,14; GC 482.

12. The Law is the passport to the kingdom of glory. Rev. 22:14; GC 639, 64.

For what did the Apostle Paul trust Christ?

Phil. 3:8,9 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Does the faith, which brings righteousness, abolish the law?

Rom. 3:31 " Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law," says apostle Paul.

In the gospel, the law, first written in the heart of Christ, is transferred to the heart of believer, where Christ dwells by faith. Thus the new covenant promised is fulfilled. This is righteousness by faith--a righteousness that is witnessed by the law, and revealed in the life in harmony with the law. Such faith, instead of making void the law, establishes in the heart of the believer.

Here is a brief analysis of the law and the gospel:

The law of God is gospel concealed - The gospel is the law revealed

The law is the gospel fullness delayed - The gospel is the law fullness portrayed

The law is the gospel contained - The gospel is gospel maintained

The law is the gospel sighted - The gospel is the law lighted

The law is Christ designed - The gospel is Christ enshrined

The law demands obedience, but cannot produce it; it is holy in itself, but it cannot make us holy; it convinces of sin, but it can not cure it; it reveals the disease, bur it can not provide the remedy; while the gospel both requires and enables, saves and sanctifies.

The gospel shows us the Saviour whom we need, and declares that He has fully obeyed the precepts of law by His spotless life as our great representative.

It is the aim alike of the law and of the gospel to secure obedience, but the law compels us to it as a duty, making it irksome and distasteful, while the gospel constrains us to it as a privilege, rendering it easy and delightful. The law sets obedience before us as a means of salvation, and makes blessing strictly conditional upon it. The gospel reveals it as the natural consequence of redemption, and enjoins obedience as the necessary result of blessing.

God has not left men enmeshed in their own disobedience- He provided a way of restoration. This is not by pulling the heavenly standard down to the level of our guiltiness and weakness, but by lifting men up to the level of eternal standard of His holiness. This restoration is restoration to a status of obedience to the law. To achieve this is the one great purpose of the proclamation of the gospel.

The great reformatory movement must begin in the home. Have you taught your children from their babyhood to keep the commandments of God?

The law of God is to be the means of education in the family. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10. "The Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us." Deuteronomy 6:24, 25.

Our work as believers in the truth is to present before the world the immutability of the law of God. We are to be distinguished as a people who keep the commandments. CH 360.

Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life's victory or defeat. "They which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize". 1Corinthians 9:24. In the warfare in which we are engaged, all may win who will discipline themselves by obedience to right principles. The scriptures bid us, "So run, that ye may obtain." verse 24.

The progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition of fundamental truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in a careless liberalism. The foundation of all enduring reform is the law of God. We are to present in clear, distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Its principles must be kept before the people. They are as everlasting and inexorable as God Himself.

The ten precepts of Jehovah are the foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God's commandments will conform to every good law of the land. But if the requirements of the rulers are such as conflict with the laws of God, the only question to be settled is: Shall we obey God, or man? 1T 361.

Now we come to the "how" of true reformation, and we turn to Ephesians 3:14-20. This is an exceedingly vibrant passage of Scripture. It sets forth a number of important propositions that are very meaningful to the child of God. It presuppose a faith that accepts and believes that:

1. There is a God (The Godhead).

2. He is worthy of our worship.

3. He is working through the Holy Spirit to strengthen us with his might.

4. God’s family is in heaven and on the earth. (It is great to belong to the family of God).

5. He takes pleasure, as our father, in passing out the riches of His glory to his earthly family, who are so much in need of them.

6. It is His earnest desire and purpose that Christ shall find a dwelling place in our heart.

What the apostle is saying to us is that God is not somebody away, out there, hiding out in His abode, and that He is somewhat, if not altogether, disassociated from us. If He were, then there might be some justification for our detachment from His guidance and intervention in our lives and work.

Our concept of God --who He is and where He is -- will go a long way to determine what kind of persons we are and will be, and how we will live. It will dominate our thinking; determine where we go, what we do, what we say and how we plan our activities. We are to become partakers of the character and nature of our God. The Chinese have a saying: " The gods write their name on the faces of their worshippers".

Let us look carefully at our text (Eph. 3:17) and draw some vital lessons from it: "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." The Living Bible paraphrases it this way:

" And I pray that Christ will be more at home in your hearts. This is not a make believe experience. We are to be conscious of His presence and day by day live as though we were constantly aware of His indwelling".

When Christ lives in our hearts by faith, it is not just a visit; it is not an occasional call. He is not someone who has just dropped in for a few moments and then leaves. No! Christ has come to make His continual abode in us. This is His permanent address. He wants us to know it; He wants everyone to know it. He will not leave unless He is expelled or disposed of by our personal choice. He will not, however, stay where He is not wanted.

God’s promise to Moses was: " My presence shall go with thee, and I will give the rest." No earthly power or skill or learning can substitute for God’s abiding presence. The presence of God is guaranteed to the Christian.

"The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end." DA 324.

If this means what it says, and if Christ is to be more and more at home in our heats, there are some important personal questions that I should like to have us consider. If Christ does, in fact, indwell us:

1. What does He see as He looks through our eyes?

2. What does He hear as He listens through our ears?

3. What does He speak through our voice? Whose words do we speak?

4. What does He think through our minds? Whose mind really directs our actions? And whose thought actually goes through our minds?

5. Whose heart loves the things that we love, and what cause it to beat faster? Whom and what do we love most.

6. What does Christ do through our hands? Whose hands are actually doing our works?

7. Where does He go through the use of our feet? Can He really follow us where we go?

8. What does He eat and drink through us? Whose taste are we satisfying through our eating and drinking habits?

9. How is He clothed if indeed He dwells in us? Is the body in which He dwells covered modestly, decently, and in good taste? Or is it guilty of indecent exposure?

10. If Christ really indwells us, who is in control of our lives? Our homes? Our activities?

I do not think that it is impossible for us to clearly answer these questions. It is not hard for us to know what to do. Now is the time for us to make an irrevocable decision in our lives, and in our work, to do what God wants us to do.

The Spirit of prophecy says:

"When we learn the power of His word, we shall not follow the suggestions of Satan in order to obtain food or to save our lives. Our only questions will be, what is God's command? And what His promise? Knowing these, we shall obey the one, and trust the other." DA 121.

How does it all come about? The answer is found in Ephesians 3, verse 20: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us". This is what true reformation is all about. This is possible by His power, the indwelling presence of Christ by His Spirit. If Christ dwells in us, great changes will be seen in our lives and in the work of our church.

"God rebukes His people for their sins, that He may humble them, and lead them to seek His face. As they reform, and His love revives in their hearts, His loving answers will come to their requests. He will strengthen them in reformatory action, lifting up for them a standard against the enemy. His rich blessing will rest upon them, and in bright rays they will reflect the light of heaven. Then a multitude not of their faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with them in serving the Redeemer". RH, February 25, 1902 par. 16

"It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing literature, that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling". Testimonies, vol. 9, page. 21. ChS 26.

What is true reformation? It is reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.

Is it necessary? A revival and a reformation must take place, under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Unless this takes place, those who are lukewarm will continue to grow more abhorrent to the Lord.

How does it come about? Christ promised to dwell in our hearts by faith if we welcome Him in. Of course, we must be willing and do our part.

What is the foundation of enduring reformation? The law of God is the foundation of all enduring reformation. We are to present to the world in clear, distinct lines the need of obedience to His law.

What will happen when this reformation takes place? Then multitudes not of our faith, seeing that God is with His people, will unite with us in serving the Redeemer.

Page developed by Nilson Jones. All rights reserved to SDARM. Copyright 2001.