Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
BY GRACE ALONE
As you are likely well aware, it was on this day 500 years ago that Martin Luther, Augustinian monk and Doctor of Theology posted an "Invitation to Debate" for the faculty of the University at Wittenberg, Germany. As was required, he nailed his 95 THESES (statements) to be debated to the university's public "bulletin board" -- namely, the door of the Castle Church. The subject was the abuse of the sale of indulgences. These certificates of forgiveness of sins promised those who purchased them that they thereby acquired credit for the good works of saints who had done more good things than were actually necessary to make up for their own sins.
Those who believe they can with gold or silver buy God's forgiveness may be few today, but the notion that forgiveness for sins of the past can be gained through good deeds in the future surely persists to the present. The fact is, the average "man-on-the-street" probably pins his hope of heaven (if he believes in such a place) on the fact that he/she has lived a "pretty good life" or at least has not "done anything really bad."
Furthermore, those who confess that it is Christ alone who has set us right with God and made us heirs of heaven are daily tempted to rely at least in part on our own works, promises or lifestyle. How easy it is to feel you are forgiven because you truly and sincerely repent your sin. (Though you surely should!) Or because you sincerely promise not to repeat the sin involved. Or because you resolve in all seriousness to do the good things you have been neglecting. And isn't it easy to give yourself credit before God for things you are only able to do by His strength? Or even to act as though your faith was some kind of daily activity through which you made up for any sin you might have slipped into?
With the very first of his theses Luther turns us away from ANY reliance on ourselves and points us to Christ and His cross (that's repentance!):
"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent'' (Matthew 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.'"
So on this 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, let us each post these words in our heart-- and hold them fast every day:
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, and also true man, …
has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person,
purchased and won me from all sin, from death,
and from the power of the devil,
not with gold or silver,
but with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.
He did this that I should be His very own, live under Him in His kingdom,
and serve Him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and joy;
just as He is risen from death, lives and reigns in eternity.
