Don’t be reformed, be redeemed. – Devotional Prayer for October 27. Praise the Lord, everybody! As Christians, have you ever asked yourself why you are obedient? Or why you submitted to God’s will in the first place?
Devotional for Today, October 27
For example, when you think of prison, you think of men and women who had to be imprisoned to be “reformed” or made to obey the will of society and the law. After a period of “training,” they come out “reformed” (We hope so).
So the question is, are you “reformed” or “redeemed”? Why are you obeying Christ? After all, this is not a prison; you are a free man.
Bible Verse for Today
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3: 2-5)
To REFORM means: To improve by alteration, correction of an error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition to RE-FORM or RESHAPE.
To be REDEEMED means:
- To set free from slavery or kidnapping by providing money or other compensation.
- To save (a person or soul) from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
- To restore honor, worth, or reputation: You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one.
- To atone for (an error or mistake).
Don’t be Reformed
Think about prisons and reform schools that aim to change you through discipline and behavior modification. Your “insides” are still the same, except now you are supposed to be able to control your behaviors and be obedient to the rules of society.
Don’t be “reformed,” be “redeemed”
In the above scripture, Paul is not just talking about non-believers here; he is talking about Christians, people in the church who believe in their own minds that they are serving God, they may have given up certain behaviors, but at the same time they involve themselves in other ungodly behaviors and have no feeling of a need to repent or seek deliverance. They are the “reformed” of the Lord.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
Life’s trials and personal crises lead them to seek God. But, although they grow tired of their way of life, they unfortunately never truly embrace the Gospel. So instead, they attend church, thinking it is enough to keep and protect them.
The “redeemed” believer obeys out of love for God because of what He has done, and because of that loving obedience, He sends the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, teach, and convict us when we sin.
Be Redeemed
Some people proudly say: “We are reformed.” But, believe me, there is nothing to be proud of here. It is more like the attitude of the Pharisees. I hope we all understand that it does not matter whether you are Catholic or a “reformed” Protestant. What matters is whether you are redeemed or not.
So, ask yourself, “am I reformed” or “am I redeemed.” And if you find yourself on the reformed side, ask God to show you what is missing from your relationship with him, and the Holy Spirit will guide you into a “redeemed” walk with him. God bless you all.
Prayer for Today
Father God, we thank you that we are the redeemed of the Lord. Help us, Lord, to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Lord, keep us from becoming reformers of the Lord, obedient only for re-education or rehabilitation. Help us always to remember who you are and what you’ve done for us. We promise always submit to God’s will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
