Celebrate the Reformation on October 31

Many youngsters as well as older children and adults will be celebrating a great event this week on October 31. Of course I am referring to Reformation Day, the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses onto the door of the church at Wittenburg (what holiday did you think I meant?!?).

Some describe Luther’s actions as if he were climbing a bell tower at night. As he neared the top, he lost his balance and reached over grabbing a rope for stability. It happened to be attached to a great bell and suddenly all of Germany was awakened.

Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany on November 10, 1483. His father wanted him to become a lawyer and sent him to law school. While studying law, Luther encountered a massive thunderstorm, and was thrown to the ground by a stroke of lightning. He vowed to become a monk if he survived.

While serving as a monk, Luther was very burdened over his spiritual state. He was pointed to a study of the Bible to find relief. After years of intense study, God finally shed gospel light on Luther’s heart. He understood the truth while thinking about Romans 1:17, which says, “For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Luther had realized that God demanded perfect righteousness to enter heaven. He also knew that he fell far short of God’s standard. While others get to this point and give up, or try to lower God’s standard, Luther just grew depressed by the necessary implication that his situation was hopeless.

The revelation that God provided through Romans 1:17 was that God himself gives the righteousness that he requires on the basis of the work of Jesus Christ. Many people today assume that God softens the demands to get to heaven. The truth is he does not. God sent Jesus to live absolutely perfectly (thus meeting the demands of God’s laws), and then to die as a substitute for sinners on the cross.

Because of that sacrifice, God freely offers righteousness to everyone who will repent of their sinfulness, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Luther was liberated by this profound reality. It was no longer his own efforts that would make him righteous before God (which could have never measured up to God’s demands); it was only on the basis of Jesus Christ and his cross that provided Martin a right standing before God.

Martin kept on learning as a monk and then as a Professor of Biblical Literature at the University of Wittenburg. He taught his students and preached to the town folks at the City Church. During this time he was becoming more and more distressed over the views of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church teaches that a person’s faith plus their works lead to justification (being declared righteous before God). Luther now understood the Bible to teach that justification was by faith alone. While saving faith always results in good works, the good works play no part in a person’s justification. The righteousness of Christ is the only basis for a Christian’s standing before God, never Jesus’ righteousness plus our own.

Other issues which aggravated Luther were the selling of indulgences (items which credited the account of the purchaser or a loved one with merit to spend less time in purgatory), the supreme authority of the Pope, and placing church traditions over the authority of the Bible.

Luther had no intention of leaving the Roman Catholic Church; he simply wanted to debate some of the abuses that he saw. To call for such a debate, Luther posted 95 brief statements on the front door of the Wittenburg Church. This action was neither rebellious nor radical, as it was the traditional way to invite the academic community to discuss and debate issues.

The 95 theses were originally written in Latin. Others, without Luther’s permission, translated into German and published his theses. Within two weeks they had gone all over Germany. Luther’s concerns touched off a responsive chord with many that had concerns of their own.

Unbeknownst to Martin Luther, God would use his simple act to begin the Protestant Reformation. His experience of the transforming power of the gospel in his life became public. Many people in the shackles of a system of trying to earn their salvation were set free by the teaching and preaching of the good news.

Today, perhaps you are hoping God will accept your efforts at a good life and allow you to enter into heavenly rest. Friend, God’s standard has not changed, He still demands absolute perfection. The good news is that through faith in Christ, God will switch your account of sin with Christ’s account of righteousness. You can be liberated like Luther, if you will come to Jesus by faith. Don’t come boasting of your greatness; come begging in light of your need for His gift. He will not turn away any that come to him! “For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed,” for “whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved,” (Romans 10:11,13).

The Sunday before October 31 is celebrated by churches as Reformation Day. But next Friday, when kids will dress up in all kinds of costumes and raid the land for candy, remember that almost 500 years ago something special happened on an October 31! If you are a Christian, thank God for the rediscovery of the Gospel!