The greatest and best opportunity that any can have is to be a Reformer. Reformers are needed in our world, more than any other position. In the Bible we have many faithful men and women who decided to be Reformers, and they have left us an example of the work of a Reformer.
Enoch was a Reformer before the flood, among the wicked and sinful generation. He developed a divine character, ready for translation to heaven without seeing eternal death.
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24. He is our example in the last days for those who also have to prepare for translation without seeing death.
Noah was a Reformer; for 120 years he preached to the people about the coming flood, and also continued building an ark to save them from the flood. His actions spoke that he believed what he was preaching. The result of his preaching was saving the seven members of his own family.
Abraham and Lot were Reformers. Abraham stayed in the mountains, and Lot went to the city of Sodom. After some time the Lord visited Abraham and told him of His plan to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham knew that Lot was living there; therefore, he asked the Lord to save these cities for the righteous people living there. He thought that Lot may have convinced at least people to give up the ways of the world and serve the Lord.
“And Abraham drew near, and said, wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from Thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18: 23–25
But, how many were saved from these cities? Only three persons—Lot and his two daughters.
Moses was a great Reformer. For 40 years he taught the people of Israel all throughout their wilderness journey. By many miracles and wonders that he did by the power of God, he patiently educated them. He also taught them all the commandments and statutes of God. And most importnatly, Moses taught them to love God above all, and their neighbour as themselves. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18. Was the message of Moses any different than our message today? No; we preach the same message that Moses preached. He preached of grace which is also our message.
“For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? is it not in that Thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name.” Exodus 37:16–17
Elijah was a mighty Reformer; alone he stood against King Ahab, his army, the priests of Baal and the whole nation. He asked the people, “If the Lord be God, follow Him.” Not even one answered that they obey God and believe in Him.
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; But Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.” 1 Kings 18:21–22
In the end, when the people saw the fire burn the offering of Elijah, they fell on their faces and confessed, “the Lord He is God,” and they put to death the priests of Baal.
Nehemiah was a Reformer; he sacrificed his high position in the king’s court, and came to the city that lay in ruins, trying to build it up with the small company of the people who had returned from Babylon. They faced the great adversity of neighbouring enemies, and of traitors among their own people. Yet Nehemiah was able to finish repairing the wall and the gates, and the buildings. He also brought the people back to obedience to God.
Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles had patiently laboured almost 35 years for the conversion of the Gentiles, building up churches and organizing them, traveling from place to place, in perils, dangers, suffering from the enemies from outside, as well as from those within the church. Paul writes of his life: “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23–28
Paul was a faithful Reformer, doing God’s work, saving souls, yet in all his sufferings he writes, “Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
All these men had an opportunity to become Reformers, and they took it, yet they were hated, persecuted, and some of them suffering martyrdom.
Jesus is the greatest Reformer. When the prophets, messengers, men sent by God were not accepted many, finally God sent His only Son as the last resort to save His chosen people. John the Baptist gave a witness of Him. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
Jesus is our example of doing Reform work; we must behold Him. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
About 300 prophecies of Christ’s first coming are written in the Old Testament. The whole nation of Israel was waiting for the coming Messiah. The burden of the Romans was heavy upon them. They had to pay exorbitant taxes, and they expected the Messiah to drive the Romans out. Because Jesus did not do this, they rejected Him. Almost everybody rejected Him, but there were few who accepted Him and followed Him. The life of Jesus was full of self-denial, self-sacrifice, and benevolence; the Jews did not admire such a life. The humility and meekness of Jesus did not attract them. People loved His kindness, mercy, gentleness, His miracles, and His healings, but His messages and His words, were a stumbling block to them
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus spoke the following words, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turned to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:38–44
After listening to His Sermon many left Him. “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.” John 6:66. This happened to the rich young man who asked Jesus, “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” “The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and I shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:16, 20–21
If Jesus had required less and had not made the way so narrow more people would have followed Him. But the cost was too great, therefore only few were willing to follow Him. Jesus, the greatest Reformer, was cruelly nailed to the cross as a criminal. Barabbas the criminal was preferred above Him.
Today, in a time of spiritual darkness and iniquity the Lord is calling for Reformers to stand up, and lift up the standard of righteousness among the nations. This work requires self-denial and self-sacrifice, and it involves suffering and rejection.
When World War I started in 1914, the faithful Adventists who remained loyal to the commandments of God had to suffer alone. Alone the young men stood before the courts and military tribunals. There were no ministers visiting them in their cells, and no church was praying for them, as the church prayed for Peter all night. Alone they gave their lives for the truth. They were pioneers of this Reform movement.
Are you willing to follow in their footsteps? Are you willing to sacrifice all on the altar? Is Jesus so dear to you that you are willing to suffer and even to die for Him? If you are willing, then you are a Reformer and God can lay on your shoulders the finishing work of the gospel ministry. Today, we all have the opportunity to become Reformers, to do the most important work of God, and that is to follow the examples of the Reformers of the past 6000 years, and especially the example of Jesus, the son of God. Then you are ready for eternal life. Love not the world, neither the things of the world. Jesus has proven His love to you; look at the nail marks in His hands. Can you do any less for Him than what He has done for you?
Then Jesus will fill your life with joy and peace and your name will be written in the book of life. Jesus calls you today to accept this opportunity; doing so will make Him very happy. Amen.
Timo Martin