For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Romans 3:22b-24 (ESV)
Reform, Relaunch, Renew, Restore, Revive, Refresh, Redo, Recharge, Remake, Restart, Reset, Revisit, Reactivate, Revamp, Remodel, Regrow, Recover, Regroup, Remind, Regather, Rebrand, Recommit, Redefine, Rededicate, Reconsider, Revise, Reignite . . .
Today is Reformation Sunday. 499 years ago, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Church Doors to ignite the Reformation.
The Reformation was a new start. It was a breath of fresh air. But the Reformation was not about something new. It was about something old. It was about going back to something that was there all along. It was to restore the faith of the early church. It’s not Formation Day. It is RE-formation Day!
You may be in need of a restart. Something needs to change. You are looking for that next NEW thing. But consider the answer is not something new. RE-formation is reorienting ourselves around something has been around since before the beginning of time. It is re-orienting our lives around the timeless gospel.
“RE” – it is a prefix. It suggests repetition or backward movement. “RE” is used in a reply message of an email. To reply is send a message back from where the original message came.
I imagine that if you find yourself in need of a RE-formation, there is a good chance that you have strayed from God’s path. Maybe your RE-formation is returning to church. Maybe your RE-formation is restoring your devotional time. Maybe your RE-formation trusting once again the grace of God rather than your own good works and abilities.
We need RE-formation every day. Know that RE-formation is not a once-in-every 500-year event. Every day there are attitudes, actions, and aspirations in me to be reset. RE-formation is the daily resetting, refocusing, and renewing of my mind and heart on the things of God. The great thing to know is RE-formation is something that is always possible with our God.
PRAYER: Lord Almighty, search me, and know my heart. If there is any waywardness in me, RE-form my mind, heart, and actions. Lead me in your ways. Hold every thought, word, and desire captive to your will. RE-new my life. RE-store unto me the joy of your salvation. RE-ignite my passion for serving and worshipping you. Amen.
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