Dear HLPC family
I’ve been encouraged by the Adult School of Discipleship class being taught by Erik Fuqua, Chuck Ezell, and Ryan Watson on Presbyterian church history. Rather than being a big pat on the back for us, I believe it’s been a good lesson in God’s providence combined with the persistent dangers that lurk for Biblical and doctrinal unfaithfulness in the Church. We’ve been seeing how things can go off the rails but how the Lord preserves a remnant.
When you think about it, God’s people have always needed periodic and repeated revival and reformation. While we are prone to consider the Reformation of the 16th century that led to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms as a great historical event, and it certainly is, we know that the Latin phrase Semper Reformanda or “always Reforming” is necessary for the Church to live out.
By that phrase we mean that we need always to be reforming our lives according to the truth of Scripture. We don’t take it to mean a call to pursue innovation and change for change’s sake. It’s a call to be always checking our belief and practice according to God’s Word.
In the Old Testament, God sent His prophets to bring Reformation. They were like prosecuting attorneys, calling God’s people to covenant faithfulness. The primary purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry was the work of redemption. He came to “save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).” But His work also included Reformation to challenge the burdens laid on the people by the religious leadership in Israel. Again, God’s people always need Reformation.
That work of reformation, of Semper Reformanda, is what we need every day. We never arrive spiritually. We seek to reform our lives according to the truth of Scripture. We want the Lord, by His Word and Spirit, to be changing us. Another word for Semper Reformanda is “sanctification.” That work has been needed throughout church history. We still need it today.
Your Pastor,
Paul