Time for Reform
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
Reformation Day is thirteen days away. On that day, we celebrate how Martin Luther began the Lutheran Reformation by nailing his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg.
When we hear the word “reform,” we often think of doing things a new and different way. If politicians talk about tax reform, for example, we think of chucking the old tax code and replacing with a new one.
Is it time for reform in the church again? In some ways, yes. We can make practical changes to how we operate as a church and how we live as Christians. We can indeed look forward.
But when we talk about Reformation, first we want to look back. The church in Martin Luther’s day had added all kinds of false teaching to its doctrine. Especially egregious was the selling of indulgences. Through indulgences, one could buy their way to heaven.
Led by the Holy Spirit, Martin Luther looked back to what the Scriptures actually said. And this is what he found:
To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:5
The church of Martin Luther’s time had conformed to the pattern of this world. It became greedy. It put its trust in man instead of God. It promoted a system of works righteousness rather than grace.
Through Martin Luther’s work, God renewed the minds of Christians.
So too, we need a daily reformation. Every day, the world calls us to conform to its pattern. To put our trust in wealth or power, people or institutions. Every day, the world encourages us to evaluate ourselves and others on the basis of merit instead of grace. Every day, the world attacks our faith and steals our hope.
Like Martin Luther, return to what Scripture says. Return to the truth of God’s Word, the Light in our dark world. Return to Jesus who alone can save you by his grace through faith. “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”