Day 06 - From Revelation to Reformation
For many years I attended extensive physiotherapy after an injury. Part of my recovery process was teaching my body to walk, sit and stand properly once again. I remember my first appointment with my physiotherapist, some weeks after I had surgery. The surgery had corrected a problem that I had for a long time, but my physiotherapist noted that even though the surgery had corrected the problem, but my body still acted as if the surgery had not occurred at al! This began a two-year process of teaching and training my body back to health and strength.
The word reformation comes from the Latin word reformare which means to “shape again”. When we become Christians, we receive the revelation of Christ, but the process of shaping and changing to become Christ-like is a long and steady process, much like my physiotherapy. Too often, we focus on revelation, but not enough on the reformation that God wants to produce in our lives. We need the Word of God to reveal to us God’s will, plans and desires but true revelation leads to reformation. We need the revelation of God to produce a reformation in our actions, thoughts, and desires.
John chapter 15 gives us a powerful key to allowing the Holy Spirit to work a reformation in our lives. Verse 4 says “remain in me” (NIV). When we remain, or abide, in the word of God, it produces fruit in our lives. To remain in the word means to prioritise the place it has in your life. You cannot remain in the word by reading it occasionally. So how can we remain in the word?
Meditate
When we read our bibles, remember that God desires to speak to us. Take time to think about what you are reading. Allow time and space to remove distractions and reflect on what God is saying.
Remember
One helpful tool for remaining in the word is to memorise scripture. Pick a verse that God is encouraging you or challenging you with. Write it down. Put it on a post-it note and display it somewhere you will see throughout the day. Keep repeating it as you read it, until you have memorised it.
Obey
God can only work a reformation in us when we do what the words says, not just hear it. Sometimes we can feel as though God is not really speaking to us in certain seasons, but I always find that God is waiting for my obedience. Sometimes that obedience is not related to what I am praying for or asking God for guidance in. But once I obey and act on what God has previously told me, I find I am able to hear Him speak with greater clarity than before. Obedience unlocks greater revelation in our lives, which leads to a reformation of our hearts.
Challenge: Put it Into Practice
Scripture Memorisation Verse: Write down the verse you want to memorise here. Keep coming back to this page during the week so you can commit it to memory