Why I'm reformed
Ever since Christ drew me to Himself, from the very beginning, I always had a nagging thought during youth groups and services- this should be all about God, not X and X. It turns out many share my convictions and I will let you know why I belong to the Reformed camp.
Stupid Gimmicks
This was a thing, even as a 17 year old Christian. Stupid youth group activities, etc. My pastor summarised this beautifully when he said "At this church we don't do stupid gimmicks, we exposit God's Word".
No cringy performances of "Halloween house party" at my church!
God's sovereignty
In Reformed churches God's sovereignty is not shied away from. This is indeed a comfort during the trials of the believer and has been to myself.
If churches emphasised God's sovereignty and His infinite holiness more, you would see more believers living for Godd's glory and not treating Trump's speeches or Banon's war room like spiritual nourishment or a sermon.
Bringing worldly philosophy into the church
This is happening more and more and in all genuine, decent, Reformed churches this does not happen. Churches have been notorious for this recently, implementing philosophies of the world including emphasizing divisive social theories which I shall not go into on here.
Dr Selina Stone, Premier Christianity and Christianity Today I'm talking to you!!!!!!
Church is for unbelievers too!
I will be rightly cautious with this point but many churches seem to think it to be a good idea to listen to the world's advice about what church should be!
Churches also want to cater services to unbelievers, this is contrary to God's Word. Don't get me wrong, in Reformed churches unbelievers should absolutely be welcomed, both in service and fellowship, but services will not be catered to their comfort.
Cannot exaggerate our sinfulness and God's holiness
Reformed churches are great at emphasising this point. We cannot exaggerate our sinfulness- we are not "amazing" and "wonderful" we are wretched sinners in need of a Saviour and the consequences of our sin cannot be exaggerated- what's more if it had not been for God's common grace, we'd be even more wicked!
We also cannot exaggerate God's holiness- it is infinite and we need to bare this in mind!
God's distinct love
This is going to tread on a few toes, yes, God's love of unbelievers is part of His common grace but God has a distinct love for His people (Christians). John 17:9. Also too many verses in the OT which refer to God's people as His treasured possession. Believers need to stop using the love language God has for His people and applying them to unbelievers. The warning to unbelievers in John 3:36 sure does not sound like God's covenant love to His people to me. Thanks to Reformed churches for faithfully holding to this.
No modern worship music/no show
I love how in the Reformed tradition we don't throw out old treasured hymns emphasizing God's holiness and majesty. Lots of other churches include Hillsong and Bethel artists, who not only love showing off during their "worship" but also make worship all about them and, at best, their music sounds like a romance song a teenage boyfriend would write for his teenage girlfriend.
God's wrath is not scared to be mentioned
Yes, we know God's love is the purest love but in the Reformed tradition, we do not pretend that God does not have other emotions. You can even see in the NT God has wrath (He is immutable, He has not changed since the OT). In my Reformed church, my pastor reminds us we only dare approach the throne of grace because of Christ's (God the Son's) sacrifice on the cross.
God's Word
In the Reformed tradition we value God's Word. Only biblically qualified men, as per the Bible, are to be pastors and elders. No interfaith dialogue here- only Christ can save and no world religion can(Acts 4:12).
Stupid Gimmicks
This was a thing, even as a 17 year old Christian. Stupid youth group activities, etc. My pastor summarised this beautifully when he said "At this church we don't do stupid gimmicks, we exposit God's Word".
No cringy performances of "Halloween house party" at my church!
God's sovereignty
In Reformed churches God's sovereignty is not shied away from. This is indeed a comfort during the trials of the believer and has been to myself.
If churches emphasised God's sovereignty and His infinite holiness more, you would see more believers living for Godd's glory and not treating Trump's speeches or Banon's war room like spiritual nourishment or a sermon.
Bringing worldly philosophy into the church
This is happening more and more and in all genuine, decent, Reformed churches this does not happen. Churches have been notorious for this recently, implementing philosophies of the world including emphasizing divisive social theories which I shall not go into on here.
Dr Selina Stone, Premier Christianity and Christianity Today I'm talking to you!!!!!!
Church is for unbelievers too!
I will be rightly cautious with this point but many churches seem to think it to be a good idea to listen to the world's advice about what church should be!
Churches also want to cater services to unbelievers, this is contrary to God's Word. Don't get me wrong, in Reformed churches unbelievers should absolutely be welcomed, both in service and fellowship, but services will not be catered to their comfort.
Cannot exaggerate our sinfulness and God's holiness
Reformed churches are great at emphasising this point. We cannot exaggerate our sinfulness- we are not "amazing" and "wonderful" we are wretched sinners in need of a Saviour and the consequences of our sin cannot be exaggerated- what's more if it had not been for God's common grace, we'd be even more wicked!
We also cannot exaggerate God's holiness- it is infinite and we need to bare this in mind!
God's distinct love
This is going to tread on a few toes, yes, God's love of unbelievers is part of His common grace but God has a distinct love for His people (Christians). John 17:9. Also too many verses in the OT which refer to God's people as His treasured possession. Believers need to stop using the love language God has for His people and applying them to unbelievers. The warning to unbelievers in John 3:36 sure does not sound like God's covenant love to His people to me. Thanks to Reformed churches for faithfully holding to this.
No modern worship music/no show
I love how in the Reformed tradition we don't throw out old treasured hymns emphasizing God's holiness and majesty. Lots of other churches include Hillsong and Bethel artists, who not only love showing off during their "worship" but also make worship all about them and, at best, their music sounds like a romance song a teenage boyfriend would write for his teenage girlfriend.
God's wrath is not scared to be mentioned
Yes, we know God's love is the purest love but in the Reformed tradition, we do not pretend that God does not have other emotions. You can even see in the NT God has wrath (He is immutable, He has not changed since the OT). In my Reformed church, my pastor reminds us we only dare approach the throne of grace because of Christ's (God the Son's) sacrifice on the cross.
God's Word
In the Reformed tradition we value God's Word. Only biblically qualified men, as per the Bible, are to be pastors and elders. No interfaith dialogue here- only Christ can save and no world religion can(Acts 4:12).
