Reformation

It is customary not only in the Lutheran Church but in many Protestant denominations to observe the Reformation on the last Sunday of October. While many associate the Reformation with Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses (statements for debate) to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 (the eve of All Saints' Day), that was perhaps the public start of a movement that had been brewing for some time and would continue for years to come.

The question is: Was the Reformation of God or of men? If remembering the Reformation is only about recalling our heritage and celebrating the man Luther, then we would not be gathering for a time of true worship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But if remembering the Reformation celebrates the work of a loving God who used human beings to help bring clarity to God's people as to who Christ Jesus is and what He did for us -- that we are saved by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone as made clear in the Scriptures alone -- then we gather to give all thanks, praise, honor, and glory where it belongs: to our God.

What is fascinating about studying the life of Martin Luther and other reformers is to see the work of God the Holy Spirit in working once again in them personally what David describes in Psalm 51 as "the joy of the Lord's salvation." Salvation from what? Salvation from fear of what happens when one dies. Salvation from fear of God abandoning His people. Salvation from a life of obedience to God in order to avoid consequences to a life of love for God and one's neighbor, understanding that God wants us to enjoy life.

What about you? Are you enjoying life following Jesus? The reforming work of the Holy Spirit is still a reality in our day in age as He works through our time in the Holy Scriptures and participation in worship and the Lord's Supper to bring us to a fuller understanding of and delight in what faith in Christ assures us we are: the forgiven, redeemed children of God.