Restoration Studies:

REFORMATION BY RESTORATION

Sometimes we are discouraged when we observe the flaws, failures and shortcomings among contemporary members of the church. That we are imperfect disciples cannot be denied.  Like all others, we have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).  To deny that fact is to deceive ourselves and be void of truth (I John 1:8).  We are a fallible people, limited in both knowledge and understanding of God's will.  In every congregation, disciples are at various levels of spiritual growth and maturity.  This means their conduct will likewise span the spectrum from that of babes to mature senior saints. It would be presumptuous for a disciple to claim he has perfect knowledge, perfect faith, or that he is perfect in obedience or practice of the principles of Christ. Even those who seem to enjoy pointing out the failures of others must face the harsh reality of their own shortcomings; especially their ingratitude, elitism and  presumption.

Our  human frailty explains why great preachers of the past use to preach and write often about the continuing need for restoration. We are not the first body of people to set about restoring the church to her primitive state, nor will we be the last. Some restorations floundered and sank back into the mire of apostasy.  This happened to most of the congregations associated with the efforts of Dr. Abner Jones and Elias Smith in New England at the opening of the 19th century.  It happened to some eighty-five percent of the churches of the Campbell-Stone movement who are now known as Disciples of Christ and Christian Churches. It is happening today among those who have openly renounced the idea of restoring the ancient order.

What shall we who hold the restoration concept to be biblical, valid and workable do when we see our shortcomings? We must reform ourselves by refocusing on the divine pattern set forth in the New Testament of Christ (II Tim. 1:13), and dedicating ourselves to matching that in our faith and practice. The only other alternatives would be for us to follow our own paths (Jer. 10:23) or depend on our own human wisdom (I Cor. 1:20-21).   Or like our religious neighbors, we could lean on the broken staff of public popularity, or the uncertain emotions of subjectivism. We who love the Lord and his holy church, who still bow in submission before the authority of the New Covenant of Christ, will continue to plead with all men to turn from their misguided ways and join us in the never-ending task of reforming our selves by restoring the ancient faith and practice. Those who stubbornly refuse to do so will answer to the Judge of all when he comes in glory with his mighty  angels (II Thess.1:7-9)