Reformation

The word “Repent” carries in its meaning a resolve to do better, to correct past iniquities, to reform. Doing better than we did before we repented is required if we are to become vessels fit for God’s use in the kingdom.

Something for everyone

The process of reformation is not completed in any of us. We all know we need improvement in our attitudes; we need to eradicate some lingering bad habits; we need to make adjustments that will improve our characters. While we may agree to the general idea, being specific is a little more difficult for us. We need to start by honestly examining our own hearts. And we need to be careful we don’t thwart the whole process by an act of denial.

In 1985, Bro. Harry Whittaker wrote a poignant book called, Reformation, a Book for Christadelphians. Bro. Harry knew it would not be a fun book to read, but he felt there were things that needed to be said. Following is a brief summary of the points he made.

  1. Begin reforming you! “The place to begin is not in one’s own ec­clesia, nor in one’s own family, but in one’s own soul!”
  2. Don’t quit working! “It is continuance that really makes refor­mation.” Your enthusiasm will be catching; things will get better.
  1. Be more giving! Rather than indulge yourself with “lavish expenditures (e.g. cosmetics, hairdos, clothing, fancy homes and cars, cruises, expensive vacations, etc.), give more. Remember God’s work when writing out your will.”
  2. Talk about the Truth! It is the best way to preach. “Have Chris­tadelphians lost the knack of talking the Truth to their neighbor?” We try everything else — preaching efforts, answer phones, preaching truck, taped videos. We need to talk with people, not leave it up to the meeting to do!
  3. Give attendance to meetings, Bible readings and prayer. We can all improve in this area. Get into a routine. Find the best time for you to do your readings. Set aside a certain time for personal prayer. And try to attend more activities; be enthusiastic.
  4. Care about the lost sheep! Surely you know of some who never came to the Truth. Write to them, visit them, show interest. Time is getting short. The Lord will return and perhaps you were the one who could have made a difference.
  1. Review the first principles. We cannot effectively talk the Truth to others if we are not able to present and defend the Truth by being able to give proofs. Review “Christendom Astray;” refresh yourself.
  2. Take up a cross! When was the last time you really put yourself out? The poor need assistance; the elderly need caring; help an overworked mother, a troubled teenager. There is a place where you can help.
  3. Ask questions; do more Bible study! When you read, find things you don’t know and research them. Use dictionaries, concordances, commentaries, works of the brotherhood and get the answers. Take notes!
  4. Be positive, not negative! Be stimulating and fascinating! Refuse to join in the trivial chit-chat, the harmful or harmless habit of gossip that Chris­tadelphians seem to be noted for. Instead, become a wholesome influence and weave into our conversations, our letters, our precious time with children an uplifting attitude, a stirring and fascinating personality. If we do this, we will greatly help in the reformation process.
  5. Don’t swallow gnats or camels! Don’t become dissatisfied with the Truth, writing “wretched letters of resignation only to find you have swallowed several large unclean camels by joining some other group which is theologically unsound.” Murmuring was the basic fault of the Israelites. Reform, don’t resign!
  6. Let’s stop the dogmatism, pride, disagreements! The most elusive of all Christian virtues is that of humility! There is no room for self deceit; we are no more humble or better than anyone else. “One of the worst things that can be said about our group is that we have been in a long state of fragmentation and we have put up with it.” This has been a bad inheritance; “a righteous stand against error can always be made without indulging in irresponsible surgery.”
  1. Are we sheepdogs? Do we keep in touch with the “sheep” during the week?
  2. Visiting! Are we too self-centered to visit the aged? Why not adopt a “granny” or an older retiree and write to them. The elders have experience and wisdom that they can pass and we delight them by showing interest in them.
  3. Modern trends! Modern attitudes to spending, flashy clothing, social drinking, rules about dress can be dangerous. By the way, whatever happened to contentment? We need a lot less materialism.
  4. Public prayers! Bro. Harry gives some good advice about what to include and not include in public prayers.
  5. Congregational singing! “A brother of wide experience was once heard to say that, in all the years, one particular hymn affected him so much that he had not yet succeeded in singing all the verses without seizing up emotionally in at least one of them. Do we get affected like that?”

We recommend to all a reading of this book, Reformation by Bro. Harry Whittaker.