Motivation for Reforms

2 Chronicles 19:1-11 

    1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God."

    4 So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers. 5 Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7 Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes."

    8 Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart: 10 Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 And take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the LORD will be with the good."

Jehoshaphat reformed worship in spite of being warned by God concerning his helping the wrong people and loving the haters of the LORD in that.  He was moved by that warning and had already been lauded by the LORD for having a heart for Him, prepared to follow and actively destroying the places of idol worship.  He was not perfect.  Therefore, he put judges in place to enforce God’s word impartially across the nation, with fear of the LORD and honest dealing.  He reminded those put in such positions that they should imitate God with no such unrighteousness in thinking or rulings of action.  He also commanded the priests and Levites to “act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart.”  They were also to warn offenders with an aim to reconciliation with God and man, just as we are still to do within the church to this day.  The will and word of God does not change in these important matters of love for the Lord and our neighbors (Mark 12:30-31, Romans 13:10).  Doing otherwise brought guilt on them and on us.  We do well to heed the warning of Jehoshaphat to act courageously and do what God lays out in His word to live accordingly and with accountability.  Here then are motivations for reform in word and deed (1 John 3:18, Colossians 3:17).  The church must be continuously reformed one individual at a time to keep in step with His word and Spirit.