"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24 October is a very wonderful month. Not because the leaves are changing into glorious colors which display the Lord's handiwork or because we get to eat copious amounts of candy plundered from the kids' trick or treat buckets. No, October is a wonderful month because we get to focus on and celebrate who we are as Lutheran Christians. On October 31st we celebrate and remember the Reformation. Reformation Sunday is more than just a day where we get to wear red and sing "A Mignty Fortress is our God". It is a day when we can rejoice and give thanks to the Lord that although we fall short of God's glory because of our sin, we know that we are saved by grace through faith alone. By God's grace He sent Jesus to take on our flesh and pay the ultimate pfice for our rescue and redemption. For us, as Lutheran Christians, we have three "solas" that form the foundation for our church: Sola Fide, Sola Gratia and Sola Scriptura. The foundation that was laid for us in the Reformation is Faith Alone, Grace Alone and Scripture Alone. When we lose or forget one of these "solas", we lose a lot of who we are as Lutheran Christians. BNow, some would sa that it is more important to focus on how we feel when we come to church. It is vital to make sure that we are all warm and fuzzy on the inside by being moved by music or lyrics that focus on us and our emotions. Some say that we don't have to do what God's Word says because it was written so long ago and therefore isn't applicable to our lives today. Some would even encourange people to do what their conscience says is ok, even if it is against and far from God's instruction to us in His Word. These are dangerous encouragements that some church groups give to their people. For us as Lutherans, we have great peace in the fact that our salvation is NEVER about us. It is not about how good we feel during the hymns, it is not about how many nice things we have done for others, it is not about how much we put in the offering plate each week, and it is not about what our conscience tells us we should be bound to do and think. NO! Out salvation comes solely through the bitter suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore we can stand firm, not only on our foundation of faith set for us by our Triune God, but we can also stand firm in our convictions as Lutheran Christians knowing that it is by Grace alone that God loves us and has forgiven us. It is by faith alone that we live our lives, knowing that God leads, directs, comforts and cares for us each day out of His Fatherly mercy and love. It is by Word alone that we live knowing that God lays out for us in His Word what is acceptable or not, and God's Word gives us comfort and peace in our times of trials. Let us follow in Luther's example of remaining firm and steadfast in his beliefs and convictions. Let us never give up God's Word as the rule and norm for our lives. Let us always be faithful and diligent in sharing our faith with those around us, for truly so many are dying without the hope and peace that comes from Christ alone. Thanks be to God that we can remind ourselves each day that it is Faith Alone, Grace Alone and Scripture Alone that guides us as Lutheran Christians journeying through life this side of heaven. |
