Reformation 500- 31 October 2017- Romans 3:28

This year, October 31, All Saints Eve, marks the Five-Hundredth Anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation. This date commemorates Luther’s 95 Theses against corruption and in favor of sincere faith. Much has been and can be said about this anniversary and about the Reformation in general. The Reformation of late medieval catholicism was and remains important for both world history and for worldwide Christianity. For those who consider themselves Lutheran, Protestant, or generally Evangelical, this commemoration is a reminder of some core convictions.

We can use various terms, but the central point of the Reformation is the message of God’s forgiving and saving grace made available through the unique work of Jesus Christ. We may value many aspects of our universal Christian heritage, but we should always remain focused on Jesus Christ. By grace through faith in Christ, we are justified or set right with God (Rom. 3:28).

We are not saved by obtaining papers of indulgence, or by invoking the saints. We are not saved by the pope, by any bishop, or by any pastor. We aren’t saved by a particular translation of the Bible, certain orders of worship, or venerable hymns- no matter how beautiful and full of meaning such externals are. And as important as our own good deeds are as a sincere fruit of faith, we are certainly not saved by our own efforts or goodness.

We are only forgiven, set right with almighty God, and saved from our fallen condition by Jesus Christ, God's unique Son, the eternal Word made flesh. Only Christ crucified and risen can give us the grace we need. Only by believing in and trusting in Christ’s work do we find true wisdom, strength, and guidance for walking the Christian walk and for carrying out our mission on earth. Individually and corporately, we always need to be reformed. Daily, monthly, and yearly, we need to return to Scripture and re-apply its message about our Lord Jesus Christ, both to the church and to our own lives.