Happy Reformation Day!

October 31st, as most know it, is Halloween in our country. On this day many are preparing for an evening of frivolity. They will don mask and makeup, setting out to attend parties or tromp through neighborhoods in hopes of acquiring copious amounts of candy. Unfortunately, this has largely replaced the greater historical and spiritual significance of this date.

On October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses calling for debate and challenging the Catholic Church to a castle door in Wittenburg. Luther had grown increasingly bothered by the teachings of the Catholic Church and its practice of indulgences.

Troubled in his own soul and without peace with God, Luther turned to Scripture. There he discovered the gospel that salvation from God comes from Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone. While contemporaries of Luther in other countries were raising the same issues, asking the same questions, and discovering the same gospel truth it’s Luther’s actions on this day, October 31, that have come to mark what is known as the Reformation and the rediscovery of the true gospel.

There are many lessons we should learn from the events connected to the Reformation. Space here won’t permit full treatment of the Reformation, its proponents, and teachings. What follows are a few reasons why I think it wise that we remember the Reformation and recognize October 31 as Reformation Day as a means of doing so.

First, the Reformation reminds us to appreciate God’s Word.

Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) was the foundation of the Reformation. God’s Word was seen as authoritative and sufficient for matters of faith and practice by the Reformers. In fact, Luther attributed all accomplishment in the Reformation to the power of God’s Word: “I simply taught, preached, wrote God's Word; otherwise, I did nothing. And while I slept or drank with my friends Philip and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.”

Knowing the importance of God’s Word and priesthood of the believer the Reformers sought to make the Word accessible to everyone. They worked to put the Bible into the language of the common people, so that even a ploughboy could read and know the Word of God. We have such incredible access to the Word today in part due to what took place over 500 years ago.

May we utilize the accessibility we’ve been given and build our lives on the sufficient Word of God.

Second, the Reformation reminds us to treasure the Gospel.

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This is the good news that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus as our substitute has borne our sin and supplied the righteousness we need to know and enjoy God.

Prior to the Reformation the gospel had been lost. Another gospel (although there is no other, Galatians 1:6-9) of doing good works and self-righteousness had taken its place. This was a man centered, unbiblical, and insufficient approach to salvation.

Turning to Scripture and discovering that God justifies sinners by faith alone in Christ, Luther found the solace, assurance and salvation for which his soul longed. The gospel is a precious treasure to weary sinners (Matthew 13:44-46). Remembering this we should rejoice at what Christ has done for us and faithfully guard the gospel entrusted to us from any addition, adaptation or alteration.

Finally, the Reformation reminds us to count the cost of following Christ.

As evangelical Christians we often think of Luther in popular fashion. However, that was not the prevailing thought of him and the other Reformers during their day. There was a high cost associated with speaking out and standing on God’s Word. Luther was a wanted man. Yet, he remained steadfast. In his famous words as he stood trial and faced demands to recant his beliefs and teachings at the Diet of Worms in 1521, he said, “Unless I am convicted by scripture and reason – I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God…. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”

It's not easy to live for Christ. As our society grows more and more secular and sinful it will be increasingly more and more difficult for Christians. The Reformers, like Luther, serve as faithful witnesses of those that counted the cost and found Christ enough. May we believers today remember and learn from them. Jesus is enough. Therefore, let us always remain steadfast, abounding in the work of our Lord and know our labor for him is not in vain.

More than 500 years have passed since the day a monk and his mallet changed the world. Yet, that day and its corresponding lessons are worthy of our remembrance on this day.

Soli Deo Gloria!