The Great Reformation

Song: Love Lifted Me

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Nehemiah 8 is a story of reform. Its message is powerful. It speaks to us today revealing the elements of all religious reform.

"The people gathered together as one man." The aim of reform is reconciliation, first with God and consequently with men.

"They told Ezra to bring the Book of the Law." The basis of reform is the word of God. Any change that proceeds without God's direction is doomed.

"The ears of all the people were attentive to the Book." Men must see past the messenger, past their fellow listeners, past themselves, past the occasion, and attend to the Book for reform to be a reality.

"And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all thepeople." The rise of a clergy class is a curse to religion. For reform to take place, the people must be involved in biblical conversation. The people have a right to know whence the message comes.

"And when he opened the Book, all the people stoodup." Truth without simple reverence and sincerity is no good. Reformation involves the search for true righteousness without becoming self-righteous in the process.

"They read distinctly from the Book and gave thesense." Reformation involves persuasion. God wants man to seethe sense of what He commands. That's the only way to make committed followers.

Religious reformation does not occur in a day. It takes alifetime. But it starts with today. Ready?

Jason Moore