A BIBLICAL PATTERN OF REFORMATION PRIOR TO 1517 (2 KINGS 22:1-20)

Dear Members in Christ,

A Biblical Pattern of Reformation Prior to 1517 (2 Kings 22:1-20)

It is the time of the year we remember the 1517 Reformation. It is a remembrance of the earth-shaking event that ignited a fire of change in the church and brought about a return to the faith once delivered to the saints. As adherents to the Reformed theology and to Calvinistic doctrines, we thank God for this divinely motivated transformation to the church which was in its dark ages.

The study of the Bible will demonstrate to us that time and again, God will intervene in the lives of His people to reform, chastise, and bring them back from spiritual decline and apostasy. There are many biblical examples. For instance, the reformation brought about by King Hezekiah recorded in 2 Chronicles chapters 30 and 31. The reformation and renewal of the returnees from captivity are recorded in Nehemiah chapters 10 and 13. These are but some of the more notable examples that may be cited, other examples may be found, perhaps too numerous for this one article. For today, the bible text for our exhortation is about a reform brought about by an Old Testament King named Josiah. God’s word speaks graciously of King Josiah with this commendation.

“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” 2 Kings 22:2

A. Revival and Reformation begins when a heart reverences God’s word

In the 1517 Reformation, we read of how Martin Luther was convicted by the words of scripture. “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17). That became the watchword “Sola Fide” or “By faith alone!” With the authority of scripture, the faithful banded together to overthrow the centuries of decadence and apostasy that had plagued the church.

The Old Testament King Josiah did somewhat similarly. It was during his reign that they found the book of the law whilst they were renovating the house of God. We read that, “Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” (2 Kings 22:8). Reformation of a man’s heart can only come with knowledge of God’s word. The word of scripture has the convicting power to revive and transform. This was evident in King Josiah, as it was in the days of Martin Luther the Reformer.

“And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.” 2 Kings 22:10, 11

The Bible tells us of how the king was stricken in his heart upon hearing the reading of the law. The word of God convicts us and shows us when we have transgressed the law of God. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts reminding us of the need for renewal and revival of our minds. This was the experience of Paul the Apostle when he wrote, “when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died… And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.” (Romans 7:9, 10). Dearly beloved, I pray that we are taking time to read the Bible and at the same time, examining ourselves in the light of scriptures. Martin Luther examined the church and his devotion to God, and he found it wanting. Josiah the king ripped his royal robes in sorrow when he knew the sorry spiritual condition of his nation. The road to revival in our lives begins with conviction of the need for renewal. Beloved, let us pray for a spiritual life of deeper devotion and service to God, and a closer walk with the Savior.

B. Reformation results in a life which is God-honoring 

The conviction of the Spirit upon the hearts of those impacted bore fruit. In the case of King Josiah, the first thing he did was to pledge a vow of faithfulness to God together with his people.

“And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.” 2 Kings 23:3

The conviction of the heart must lead to visible and tangible acts of repentance and revival. Josiah the king made a clear statement before his people of his intent to follow God's ways, and to institute reforms in accordance with God’s laws. The Bible in 2 Kings chapter 23, verses 5 to 19 records many of his deeds. These acts include the tearing down of altars for idol worship, ridding the land of the practice of the sodomites, defiling the places dedicated to the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice.   

Revival and reformation result in a change in conduct, as clear as night and day. It is a transformation from spiritual darkness into light, from sin to repentance. In church history, we see it in the works of the Reformers. The Reformation Church, knowing God’s word overthrew the superstitions and the bondage of ignorance that enslaved them for centuries. Corrupt practices within the clergy, nepotism, profiteering from the sale of indulgences were put to a stop. The church returned to its God-given faith, of devotion towards God and faith in the atonement accomplished by the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we recall the events in church history, let us draw a lesson of faith. Let our lives be guided by the word of God, let us shed the sins of sloth and neglect of our spiritual lives, and let us draw close to Lord Jesus, in service, in devotion, and in love. May His name be praised. Amen.

In Christ,

Dn. Lim Seh Beng