Reforming

The image of 'reforming' ought not to be that of a ball of clay, always changing with the times, always 'updating' its appearance or texture or color.

Reforming means continually bringing back to the standard--the fixed standard. We have a tendancy to stray, to loose our grip, to tire, to relax, etc. Reforming the church is like keeping a large boulder on the peak of a large mountain. Sin is like gravity. Grace is like strength. The liberals say "let it go, let's ride it down and see what happens!" But nothing good awaits that ride--and the view is lost. The over-conservatives talk of building forms and structures to lessen the work required by their own arms and legs. But then it would be an abandoned idol in a high place.

But don't get the analogy wrong, here; the boulder isn't the church--the ones supporting the boulder are. There are ends and means, we are the means of displaying God's glory.

This is an inadequate analogy.