A Reformation Reflection AND a bonus reflection

Reflections on the Reformation, Part I

A Preface

As a life-long Lutheran, I feel obligated--but also blessed--to share some thoughts about The Reformation. This seems especially appropriate as we celebrate today the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses [statements for debate] on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Germany. First, however, I offer these caveats.

• We do not worship Martin Luther. We recognize that he, like all of us, was a poor, sinful being.
• As my pastor stated eloquently in his sermon last SUN, "The Reformation is all about the One who was nailed to the cross, not the one who nailed his 95 theses to the door."
• We, like Luther, have been "reformed" through the saving acts of Jesus Christ & NOT by our own "saving" good works.
• Lutherans remind themselves of the truths found in Scripture & the Lutheran doctrines that flowed from the Reformation, even 500 years after the fact. 
• There are many Christians & Christian denominations that seem to have lost those truths.
• Lutherans believe that all who confess Jesus as their Lord & Savior will be saved, but we also recognize that it is a lifelong battle to hang on to this Truth. Yes, even for or especially for Lutherans.
• Lutherans do not have a monopoly on the truth. Yet there are some inalienable truths, which form the basis for the Lutheran Confessions.

Here is what I gleaned from our Reformation service at Grace Lutheran Church on SUN 10/29.

One of the texts from last Sunday's worship service was found in Romans 3,

"Now we know that whatever the law says it speak to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." (3:19-20) MY COMMENTS:  

• Obeying the Law can take the form of works-righteousness. 
• St. Paul reminds us that our good works cannot save us. 
• Neither can the good works accumulated by those who have gone before us, like the saints whom we consider to be pillars of faith. 
• That includes saints found in the Bible. It includes saints memorialized through the ages. After all, we are all saints by virtue of the righteousness conferred on us by our Lord Jesus Christ.

A second text was from the Gospel of St. John.

"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." (8:31-36) MY COMMENTS:

• The Jews were fooling themselves if they really, truly believed that they had never been slaves. 
• What about their slavery in Egypt? 
• What about slavery suffered at the hands of the Assyrians & Babylonians who had carried off their ancestors into exile? They were forced to involuntarily serve these pagan masters. 
• Before we pat ourselves on the backs, don't we easily fall into a similar trap, if/when we all fall back on our heritage, i.e. "I know I'm saved because I'm Lutheran. Or Catholic. Or German?"
• Jesus speaks the Truth to both those "who had believed in Him," as well as to us today. We are all slaves of sin.
• Our good works--the good works of others--cannot save us. Only the Son, Jesus Christ, can forgive & save us.

A Battle Hymn . . . Not Just for Lutherans!

We have adopted "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" as the "battle hymn of the Reformation." We treasure it, not because it was written by Martin Luther--who, contrary to what many might think is NOT our patron saint--but because of the scriptural truths embedded in this hymn.

(St. 1) "A mighty fortress is our God, A sword & shield victorious:

He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod And wins salvation glorious.

The old satanic foe Has sworn to work us woe.

With craft & dreadful might he arms himself to fight.

One earth he has no equal."

(St. 4) "God's Word forever shall abide, No thanks to foes who fear it;

For God Himself fights by our side With weapons of the Spirit.

Were they to take our house, Goods, honor, child, or spouse,

Though life be wrenched away, They cannot win the day.

The Kingdom's ours forever." [LSB #657]

Another Reflection

Lois & I have always celebrated a 2nd anniversary in our lives. Our first date was on 10/31 in 1970. I have truly been blessed by this woman. I don't deserve the many blessings I've enjoyed through our life together. And our life together has had to endure many heartbreaks through which we have persevered...together. Thank you, Lois, for being a godly wife to me & a godly mother & grand-mother for our children & grand-children. "To God be the glory."