Reformation or Redemption

Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin stand in the prophetic line with Micah and the other prophets. Not that they were vehicles of new revelation, as were the biblical prophets, but they were instruments of God to promote His truth and preserve His church.

Often when we think of reform, our minds think of cleaning up societal corruption or fixing something that has problems. In this season of political elections, we might think of reforming health care or reforming Social Security. Micah talks about societal reforms, especially related to the theocracy under the kingship of their Covenant Lord. Through Micah, God reminded His people that what He considered "good" was not mere religious practice but doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with their God.

But the heart of the reform God had in mind didn't involve just societal clean up. It didn't even target simply the intentions of the heart. These problem areas highlighted that the people had broken covenant with their God. Their transgressions abounded. And God, the Covenant Lord, would call them to account.

The upshot of it all is that reform is called for, but reform is not the answer. Redemption is the answer. We see in Micah 5:2-5a how God's response to the penalty the people deserved was not condemnation deserved but salvation promised through One who would be born in Bethlehem to shepherd the people given Him by God. Jesus' explanation in John 10 tells us what this shepherding involved. God's justice would not be ignored. Rather, it would be met in the One who would suffer the penalty of death for those given Him by the Father. Salvation is not by reformation but by redemption.

It's here that we come to the heart of the Reformation. What was being deformed was not just religious practice. The gospel itself was being twisted and watered down and encrusted with corruption of good works that supplemented the singular work of Christ. What really frightened reformers like Luther and Calvin was the teaching of another gospel that was really no gospel at all (in line with Gal. 1:6-7).

An understanding of the true gospel will prompt the same words in us as they did in Micah. Read his closing words in Micah 7:18-20 and see if they do not capture your heart's response. This is what drove the Reformers of the 16th century. Of all the "solas," the one that overshadowed and undergirded them all is Soli Deo Gloria--glory to God alone. That is the bottom line of the spreadsheet of salvation. That is just where Micah leaves us.