The Cost of Reformation

I'm reading a book written centuries ago from a English pastor to fellow pastors, encouraging and exhorting them to undertake their calling as overseers in the Body of Christ with rigor and dedication.  Two of his strongest exhortations (of which I am in agreement with) are sorely lacking in the model the modern-day church fellowships model:  "catechizing" by the pastor (personal instruction of the congregation) and biblical church discipline.  Though much as changed since 1656, it is amazing how people and their great need for Jesus have remained the same!  Following are paragraphs containing some of Baxter's observations and comments upon reformation.  These words were no doubt as true in his day as ours.

"How long have we talked of reformation, how much have we said and done for it in general, and how deeply and devoutly have we vowed if for our own parts; and, after all this, how shamefully have we neglected it, and neglect it to this day!  We carry ourselves as if we had not known or considered what that reformation was which we vowed.  As carnal men will take on them to be Christians, and profess with confidence that they believe in Christ, and accept of his salvation, and may contend for Christ, and fight for him, and yet, for all this, will have none of him, but perish for refusing him, who little dreamed that ever they had been refusers of him; and all because they understood not what his salvation is, and how it is carried on, but dream of a salvation without flesh-displeasing, and without self-denial and renouncing the world, and parting with their sins, and without any holiness, or any great pains and labour of their own in subserviency to Christ and the Spirit:  even so did too many ministers and private men talk and write, and pray, and fight, and long for reformation; and that they who were praying for it, and fasting for it, and wading through blood for it, would never accept it, but would themselves be the rejectors and destroyers of it.  And yet so it is, and so it hath too plainly proved:  and whence is all this strange deceit of heart, that good men should no better know themselves?  Why, the case is plain; they thought of a reformation to be given by God, but not of a reformation to be wrought on and by themselves.  They considered the blessing, but never thought of the means of accomplishing it.  But as if they had expected that all things besides themselves should be mended without them, or that the Holy Ghost should again descend miraculously, or every sermon should convert its thousands, or that some angel from heaven or some Elias should be sent to restore all things, or that the law of the parliament, and the sword of the magistrate, would have converted or constrained all, and have done the deed; and little did they think of a reformation that must be wrought by their own diligence and unwearied labours, by earnest preaching and catechizing, and personal instructions, and taking heed to all the flock, whatever pains or reproaches it should cost them.  They thought not that a thorough reformation would multiply their own work; but we had all of us too carnal thoughts, that when we had ungodly men at our mercy, all would be done, and conquering them was converting them, or such a means as would have frightened them to heaven.  But the business is far otherwise, and had we then known how a reformation must be attained, perhaps some would have been colder in the prosecution of it.  And yet I know that even foreseen labours seem small matters at a distance, while we do but hear and talk of them; but when we come nearer them, and must lay our hands to the work, and put on our armour, and charge through the thickest of opposing difficulties, then is the sincerity and the strength of men's hearts brought to trial, and it will appear how they purposed and promised before.

Reformation is to many of us, as the Messiah was to the Jews.  Before he came, they looked and longed for him, and boasted of him, and rejoiced in hope of him; but when he came they could not abide him, but hated him, and would not believe that he was indeed the person, and therefore persecuted and put him to death, to the curse and confusion of the main body of their nation. 'The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in.  But who may abide the day of his coming?  and who shall stand when he appeareth?  For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap:  and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:  and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.'  And the reason was, because it was another manner of Christ that the Jews expected; it was one who would bring them riches and liberty, and to this day they profess that they will never believe in any but such.  So it is with too many about reformation.  They hoped for a reformation, that would bring them more wealth and honour with the people, and power to force men to do what they would have them:  and now they see a reformation, that must put them to more condescension and pains than they were ever at before.  They thought of having the opposers!"
- Richard Baxter, quoted from "The Reformed Pastor," pg. 189-191, first published in 1656

Our views of reformation or revival are often generally outward:  we wish to see revival in our churches, revival in our cities, the power of God sweeping over nations and the entire world.  But what we often miss is that revival must take place in our own hearts or not at all.  Baxter quotes a portion of Malachi 3:1-3 to illustrate the point, and it is revealing.  This cleansing and purifying of reformation is not for the wicked of the world as much for the priesthood.  God wants to save sinners and make them holy through His Son.  But "reformation" deals with a constant refinement, the sanctification of those already being saved.  If God has made us kings and priests unto Him, it follows that it are His disciples whom He desires be purified and holy before Him.  If the church is pure, it will lend itself to making pure followers of Christ.  Where the Body is polluted and diseased, it will only spread death and destruction instead of the life Christ desires.  Like the Pharisees, many misguided men have made proselytes twice the sons of hell as themselves.

Christ wants to purify me.  He wants me to be revived and reformed.  Many pastors have laboured and prayed for revival without effect because they neglected the fact they must be revived first!  It is a personal work by the Holy Spirit.  He will do His part because that is His will for my life.  The question remains:  am I willing to pay the price reformation demands?  Am I willing to lead even if no one follow?  In a way, reformation is all about me.  Yet I cannot reform myself.  I must yield to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, placing my faith in Him.  Following Jesus will cost a man his life.  Is it worth it?  Yes.  Do I want it?  That remains a question for each one of us.  Am I willing?  Our lives will display our answer.