It is very important to realize the times that we are living in. With rapid communication we are seeing things taking place all over the world. These are tumultuous, but exciting times. It is a great time to be alive and to be a part of all that the Lord is doing.
God is moving in Latin America, Africa and Asia, but Western Europe it is a different story. Secularism has set in and Christianity seems to be fading from the scene. Some of the same forces at work in Europe are also pervading the United States as well. Because of the influence of the Western culture we find these same ideologies moving into other parts of the world and influencing the church in a negative way.
The need today is for what I call “reformation.” Reformation is a Divine moving of God in bringing His people back to the foundational truths that we once had, but have departed from.
Frank Barna in his survey brings out, for example, how few believers operate from a biblical worldview, even protestant pastors. It is quite scary when one thinks about it. Malachi mentions priests and their role: “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction — because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.” Malachi 2:7
Malachi goes on to say: “But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble.” (2:8) All one has to do is walk down the streets in our cities and shopping malls, or turn on TV or the radio and what do we find? Often the name of the Lord is being vilified. Satan seems to still have a strong hold over our societies, culture, etc. Jesus does not seem to be making much of an inroad even in the midst of the mega churches that we have today as well as our radio programs and TV shows that present biblical teaching.
What is wrong? Could it be that our actions or what we do is not in tune with what we profess? We profess to be Christians, but out of 65 common values there is no difference between us and the non-believers. We profess to be Christians but our divorce rate is right up there with the unbelievers.
Paul told Timothy: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Tim 4:16) Interesting that Paul puts life before doctrine. Is there a reason for this? I think so. Doctrine is important, but before we can get into doctrine we must have life to begin with. However, the two go together. I need to make sure that my life is in tune with the doctrine that I say I am following.
For example: I say that I believe in Jesus and I am saved, but does my life back this up? I say that I believe in prayer, but does my life back this up? I say that I am honoring God, but what do I do with my time and money?
Even Jesus when He came says that “He came to do and to teach.” (Acts 1:1) In other words, His life and His teaching went together. What He taught was in harmony with the way He lived.
Reformation is preparing the way for the Lord. It is John the Baptist crying in the wilderness: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” Matthew 3:3