This late October weekend marks Reformation Day as it was 505 years ago when Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Cathedral, now known as "All Saint's Church" in Wittenberg, Germany. Of course, the reformation may seem a distant memory with little bearing on today—but that is untrue!
The Reformation movement continues! Then, as now, the Reformation looks to the following pillars: Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, Grace Alone, Christ Alone, to the glory of God alone. These items form a foundation for our faith and lives.
Scripture, for the Christian, is the highest authority of truth against which other truths are tested. All our learning about God outside the scriptures ought to be interpreted through the knowledge of the scripture. Salvation, for reformed Christians is accomplished by faith (your faith saves you—and that’s enough), by God’s grace through Christ. Salvation is not earned; it's not an investment, but rather an unmerited gift that produces the fruit of changed behavior and lives. Since our salvation is firmly, solely, in the hands of a merciful God, who demonstrates his love for us in sending Jesus Christ to us and for us, all of our lives are lived to the glory of God whether we know it or not.
Diversions like watching TV, doing crossword puzzles, playing video games, scrolling TikTok or Facebook hardly give an indication that lives are lived to the glory of God. And yet, the Reformation message is that God’s choice for us is the operative mechanism of salvation, not a slavish accounting of each second of our lives. In other words, Reformation theology is an understanding of God that connects our freedom with responsibility and humility. As our daily 'reforming' may we embrace this theology. What a great impact for us and society, both now and for generations to come.
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