When the Churches begins to verge into corruption, decadence, and spoil; the answer often is renewal or revival. Generally, a moralistic revival. In the Middle Ages this took form of the Cistercian (more strict Benedictines), then later in 15th century the Devotio Moderna Movement with Kempis's The Imitation of Christ, then in 17th Century the Pietist Movement, and finally in the 18th to 19th centuries The Moravian Brethren and The Methodists. All of these movements had something in common; an emphasis on a good life (righteous living), hard work, care for others (charitas, charity), and a more mystical approach to faith than dogmatic theology. In case of these movements, the emphasis was to imitate the life of Jesus Christ and the disciples, to express a faith with works as the apostle James seems to have advocated in His epistle. The concept was to more rigorsly follow Christ and His teachings, to become perfecti through self denial, and rather ascetic disciplines. The problem with this is that it isn't a revival of genuine piety as found in Scriptures, but rather the Law which has no power to save ()Romans 8:3). As Christians we should focus on Christ Jesus as sole Savior who saves us and grants us eternal life for nothing we've done, but what He has done on cross and the grave, with us merely responding I believe and confess Jesus. Instead of doing this, these moralistic movements tend to turn Christ into a law giver, following strict self discipline, and a Puritanical approach that results in legalism.
On the Gospel we are called to be dogmatic, to affirm and confess that salvation is found in no one else save Christ Jesus (Acts 4:10-12) and that He alone has made ultimate and all sufficient (all that is needed) sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10, Hebrews 9:24-29) and that this is salvation by grace, it is a gift of God that we receive, believe, and trust; we trust in Christ Jesus to save us (John 6:40, John 3:16, 1 John 4:15, and Hebrews 8). The point is knowing Christ (John 17:3), in a personal relationship with Him and the Father (Abbba) and Holy Spirit; not merely imitating Christ's life. I am amazed how often we steer off course, from bull's-eye which is Christ, on to something seemly good, the Life of Christ, Imitating Christ, Obeying Commands of Christ, and etc; while all profitable, they must be second to knowing Christ, and letting His Grace hold us captive, not works of the Law. The Apostle Paul remarked on how Israelites failed to know God, "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is [t]by faith; but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works," (Romans 9:31-32), and "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:8-9). The Apostle Paul tells us that the Israelites missed the Messiah and God incarnate, Jesus Christ, because they did not approach the Law by faith, as in faith in God, but made the Law about works, in specific being made right with God by doing works of the Law to be saved, which is impossible, "The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins," (Romans 8:3), and "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." (Acts 15:10-11). Whenever a movement rises that emphasizes works, I become leery, because it often devolves into a works based salvation or it takes our eyes off of Christ to whom we owe fixed eyes (Hebrews 12:2) and places it on something lower than Him, or an attribute of His rather than whole Him. It is like Jews Paul speaks of, they took their eyes off faith in God, and placed their eyes on Law as means of works to achieve righteousness and so stumbled over the Rock of Salvation, Jesus Christ, when He came in flesh. Movements like the Pietists, Devotio Moderna, and Judaizer Messianics (Acts 15:1) always seek a means to righteousness through action, deeds, and the will. At first this seems pleasing, to be more ardent and zealous by making faith actionable; but it inevitably turns into a moralistic struggle that dies out when the adherents no longer can conform to the self denial, self abasement, ascetics, and man made religion (Colossians 2:23).
Movements like the Devotio Moderna, Cistercians, Pietists, Moravians, and other groups stoke the fires of zeal; and emphasize a simpler piety; but often this is simply a form of godliness that has lost its power (2 Timothy 3:5) disguised as disciplines and devotions. While there is nothing wrong with study, deep discussions, prayer, and devotions; the problem with movements like the Pietists and Devotio Moderna is they stray from Scripture, emphasizing platitudes, laws, and man made religion over what Christ and His Disciples emphasize, love God with all you are (Luke 10:27), know God in personal relationship (John 17:3, Philippians 3:8) love your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31), love your brother and sisters in Christ (John 13:34-35), preach Gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), use the Gifts of Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), and beyond. Instead, these movements often have their own traditions and tenets that at first glance seem Scriptural, but upon closer inspection they overemphasize something to the determent of another aspect of faith; a great example is the Cistercians, they lived as cloistered monks, hoping to keep from being defiled by the world (James, 1 Peter) but at expense of the Gospel, they were so isolated they could not make disciples, something Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19), and they were unable to spread the love of God to many, and instead kept it hidden, like a lamp hidden under a bush or bed (Luke 8:16). The Pietists and Moravians error as well, the former becoming to lenient with destructive heresies (which the apostles took seriously see 2 Peter 2:1, Galatians 1:1-9, Galatians 5:1-10, Galatians 3:1-10, 2 Corinthians 11:1-16), and the latter under Count Zinzendorf becoming to extreme as making attending meetings and loving a brother the paramount of being a Christian. The reason these movements and their Catholic counterparts, and even Eastern Orthodox counterparts fail is they verge from the True Gospel (John 6:40, John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 15:10-11), and from the focus of Christianity, Christ Jesus.
The reason these movements are tempting is that they have some truth in them. The zeal to be better Christians in a moralistic and behavioral sense is appealing; the trend it to avoid "greasy grace," (The Cost of Discipleship) at all costs. The problem is that even a good thing can be bad. Movements that seek to stir people back to a righteous living focus often become controlling cults and mystical mazes that stir disciples away from Christ and the fact that all who confess and believing Christ as the only way (John 14:6) and Lord (Romans 10:9-10) are abiding in God's Grace forever, "5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, [g]but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.15 But [j]the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 5:1-20), and "1 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is attested of Him, For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath
21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever," (Hebrews 7), and " Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for thesins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the [n]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through [o]the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when [t]men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the [v]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And according to the [w]Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." (Hebrews 9:6-28). Movements that seek moralistic renewal like the Pietists, Devotio Moderna, and beyond veer away from the truths in passages above. They emphasize a works based devotion, bearing fruit becomes their aim, and they forget that bearing fruit can only be through Christ who is the Vine, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing," (John 15:4-5). This is what movements like Pietists, monasticism, and moralistic church programs do; they try to bear fruit apart from Christ, and yet do it in name of Christ (see Matthew 7:21-23 which states there will be people who labor in vain because Jesus never knew them, cross ref Philippians 3:8 and John 17:3). We must let Christ work in us that which is good, and pleasing; through a loving relationship with the Godhead who lives in us upon our confession (Romans 10:9-10 NASB, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20). All moralistic movements that claim to make people bear more fruit through spiritual exercises are traps, law based lesions that will lead a person from knowing the Lord Jesus (John 17:3, Philippians 3:8) and burying them in the old law of death. Worse still is the counterpart of moralistic movements, called mysticism which often leads into pagan Christianities such as Gnosticism and secret cults which Christ confronts on two occasions, "I have spoken openly to the world,"Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret," (John 18:20), and "Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, 'I will not impose any other burden on you."(Revelation 2:24).
We must stick to what Scriptures (Holy Bible) says about what it means to be a Christian, how to know Jesus, how to follow Christ, how we abide in His Grace, how it is not works based salvation, and beyond and compare it with what others teach and what we experience; and thus discover if it is sound or unsound. I recommend you get a NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1970, 1973, 1995 (still in print at most Bible stores), and preferably not Zondervan but the other brand made in California which is more accurate (back up is 2000 NASB Zondervan). Other good translations are ESV (English Standard Version), NLT (New Living Translation), The Interlinear Bible, and NKJV (New King James Version). Do not buy and Stay away from The Complete Jewish Bible (which alters Colossians 2:9), The (TLV) Tree of Life Version, The MESSAGE Bible, The Catholic Bible, and the [Eastern] Orthodox Study Bible.
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