Thoughts About Reformation Day

Only Christmas surpasses Halloween when it comes to money spent on decorations.  How sad that little or no attention is given to Reformation Day. Today’s posting is one meager attempt to change that.

Reformation Day dates to October 31, 1517 (499 years ago!).  It is the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of his church in Wittenburg, Germany.  This was the beginning of the liberation of the church from false teaching. 

Luther probably never imagined his writing would ignite such a furor.  Likewise, in July of 1741 when Jonathan Edwards delivered his famous sermon “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God”, he reportedly read it from a paper and spoke in a monotone voice — and yet God used it to break the hearts of many and begin the Great Awakening. 

(Rom 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:17 was the catapulting verse that stunned Luther when he read it. The key was living by faith and not by works.

There are some guiding principles to be gleaned from Reformation Day and the actions of Martin Luther:

1. Never consider anything done for the Lord as insignificant – no matter how small the deed.
2. Realize that no matter what type of decision we make, whether big or small, it will always have a ripple effect in our life.
3. Realize our actions affect not only ourselves but others too. Consider the effect Luther’s 95 Theses have had on the world during the last 499 years.
4. Christ is strategically involved in the small phases of our life as well as the large ones.  2 Kings 6:5-6 But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. .
5. Obedience in small things leads to obedience in large things.  Christians learn obedience one step at a time. Increasing maturity in our Christian walk yields greater and greater blessings.  We obey and act in faith – and leave the results to God.

If you have never read the 95 Theses of Martin Luther, you can see them here: Luther’s 95 Theses

To God Be The Glory!