The Offense of Family Reformation

Family Reformation  THE LEGACY of SOLA SCRIPTURA in CALVIN'S GENEVA
By Scott T. Brown

"A people who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted because their counter cultural lifestyles stick out like a sore thumb.  When family patterns are reformed, it is so public that everyone notices.  Family, friend, co-worker and church member are easily offended by family reforms.  The tumult from the reforms of  family life that Calvin experienced in Geneva caused the same kind of turmoil that every father and daughter experience when they change from immodest to modest clothing.  I have a friend who received hate mail because he and his daughter objected to modern dating patterns.  They determined that she should have her first kiss at the altar instead of in the back seat of a car before marriage.  They felt the modern dating patterns of the culture were defiling, so they defied the social structure to be faithful to the biblical commands for sexuality.  This attempt at family reform was met with hatred from the Christian community.  The truth is, you may get more compassion from church goers if your teen daughter gets pregnant, than if she dresses modestly.  Family reformers are an offense to those who fear man and maintain the status quo.  When the power of the gospel begins work in our hearts to change us, and then tangible lifestyle changes occur, we become a source of irritation to those who hate the Word of God".

My husband just finished reading Scott Brown's book.  While he was reading he would periodically point out  portions of it for me to read.  All I can say to this paragraph is been there, done that.  Or perhaps better stated, been there going through that.

If you are going through something similar we know it is not easy!  A dear friend told me many years ago that Christian parents walk on a narrow road and when your children reach adolescence the road gets ever more narrow.  She shared with me how they had lost friends because of the decisions they made for their family.  I gasped then.  I understand now.

Psalm 25:4
Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths.