A New Year’s Reformation

A New Year’s Reformation

The New York Times education critic, speaking at a major education conference some time ago, said that every reform movement eventually outlives its usefulness. Why? Because reform movements respond to present needs, but “can’t anticipate future needs.” He cited the open-school reform movement of the ’70s as an example. It began as an exciting time of removing walls, reorganizing classrooms and restructuring teaching – all to improve the learning environment. But after a while, national test scores declined, discipline problems increased, and the phrase “burn-out” came into use to describe what happened to teachers in the hectic environment of “open” education. What began as a reform to improve education is remembered today more as a failure than a success. I know, because I was a school district supervisor during those years.

Like education’s reformers, as much as we try, we can’t seem to find the one reform that will permanently solve all our problems. Each January, our attempt to reform through New Year’s resolutions begins with enthusiasm that soon fades in failure. But with God it’s just the opposite! His divine reform movement, made evident when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, initially appeared to be a big failure in man’s eyes. But then came the Resurrection! And the Ascension! Since then, God’s once-for-all-time perfect work gives new and everlasting life to whoever trusts His Son as Savior. And God’s reform movement comes with a life-time guarantee as enduring as its Reformer, Jesus Christ: “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). That’s why it’s called eternal security.

To learn more about God’s fail-safe security system, read this month’s Features. And by the way, if you haven’t already done so, why not begin the New Year by becoming a part of the Savior’s perfect reform movement. You’ll be forever thankful you did – literally.

By Larry Ondrejack