Happy Halloween . . . NO! Reformation!!

      WALKING IN THE REFORMATION TRUTH 

Today’s Scriptural Truth

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” Revelation 14:6

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

. . . Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”  Romans 3:21-24, 27-28                          

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?’

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”  John 8:31-36

Today’s devotional thoughts

      Ordinarily, today should be a mental health MON blog. If I was simply reverting to the ordinary, I would be sharing something EXTRAordinary. Today is the 46^th anniversary of my first date with the love of my life. More on that tomorrow . . . On with some devotional thoughts . . .

I felt that today being the 499^th anniversary of The Reformation, in order to be true to my Lutheran roots, I should share some devotional thoughts about The Reformation. Here they are.

      Lutherans do NOT observe Reformation out of reverence for Martin Luther.

      Martin Luther was a monk who—when he posted his 95 theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg—considered himself to be a loyal member of the Holy Christian Church . . . the ONE Holy Christian Church at that time.

      He believed that he had discovered some serious doctrinal errors that Church leaders would be delighted to have him point out.

      He was wrong.

      Lutherans celebrate Reformation because we believe that the Holy Spirit used passages like the one in Romans above to illuminate Martin Luther’s mind with the Truth.

One More Truth from Scripture

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

And one (or two) more devotional thoughts

      And I think it would be a Lutheran thing to let Scripture take up more space than my devotional thoughts.

      And I also think that you don’t have to be Lutheran to celebrate The Reformation.

Today’s Prayer *

“Though all our life is like a scroll Unrolled with blemished pages;

Though sin has shredded what was whole And death is now our wages;

Yet here we stand in confidence, With Jesus as our sole defense,

For He alone still saves us.

“Though pompously we try to dress In costumes of our making;

Though fig leaves of self-righteousness Are futile and heart-breaking;

Yet filthy rags Christ gladly wore So we would perish nevermore.

His grace alone still clothes us.

“Though earth’s deep waters foam and roar As surging waves are rolling;

Though all the nations rage with war While bells of doom are tolling;

Yet God gives peaceful fortitude, He nurtures us with Heaven’s food.

True faith alone still anchors.

“Though critics cut out Scripture’s claims And treat them with derision;

Though they conduct their hostile aims With scalpels of suspicion;

Yet how the living, two-edged sword Proclaims the dead and risen Lord!

God’s Word alone:  still truthful.

“Now sing a high doxology To God who gives salvation.

Both here and in eternity Let this be our vocation.

To Father, Son, and Spirit raise A symphony of grateful praise,

For He alone is worthy.”

* SOURCE:  “Though All Our Life Is Like a Scroll” [Sermon hymn printed in Grace Lutheran Church bulletin, SUN 10/30/16]