Dear Fellow Children of God,
Today, October 31, Kathy and I are in Wittenberg with St.
John members Carol Gustafson and Dwayne and Donita Odland. On October 31, 1517, an obscure catholic monk
and university professor posted a document on the church door for the purpose
of encouraging a debate on the topic of “indulgences.” This document also
touched on the related topics of Scripture, and God’s plan for forgiveness and
salvation by His grace through faith. The
document Luther posted, “The Ninety-Five Theses” became the spark that led to
the Reformation throughout Europe.
The reason Luther posted “The Ninety-Five Theses” is that
the church of that time was spreading teachings that he considered contrary to
God’s Word, and spreading teachings that caused people to look for salvation and
eternal life in a hope that was different than the reason for hope which God
has, the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.
I personally am thankful for my Lutheran Heritage. I continue to find Luther’s Reformation
principals of “By Grace Alone,” “By Faith Alone,” and “By Scripture Alone” to
still guide my own faith and ministry. I
am thankful that the Lutheran Church as I have known it has been committed to
learning the Scriptures and teaching the truth of God’s love in Jesus.
However, a danger in celebrating the Reformation is that
Lutheran Christians, or any Christians, can point our finger at others, and
ignore our own failings. The truth is
many churches seek to teach God’s word, not just the Lutheran Church. We had best not mis-characterize what others
teach. And, the reason we need a Savior
is that all of us stumble and sin and fail.
The best way to celebrate the Reformation is to watch our
own faith and lives. Jesus tells his disciples in John 8:34-36, “34 . . . "I tell you the truth, everyone who
sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family,
but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be
free indeed.” In these words
Jesus calls for a personal reformation in each of His followers.
What kind of reformation might we work toward in our own
lives? First, knowing we are sinners we
need to constantly repent. It is
important that we admit our selfishness, our greed, our doubt, our sin, and
seek God’s help to live in faith and love.
This turning from sin is a constant fight in this life, because everyone who sins is a slave to that sin.
Second, we turn from our sin to the Son of God, Jesus
Christ. A personal reformation means we
trust Jesus for forgiveness. We trust in
Jesus to strengthen us for the struggle by His Word and Spirit. This is what Jesus means when He says, “if the
Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Finally,
we can sustain this personal Reformation by growing in the knowledge, the grace,
and the power of God’s Word. In John
8:31-32, Jesus says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really
my disciples. Then you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free." God’s Word found in Scripture can
guide us in our own personal reformation.
It can teach us how to live.
God’s Word can show us our sin, and show us our Savior, and strengthen
us in God’s love so we can continue the struggle of personal repentance and
reformation.
It is exciting to be in Wittenberg on Reformation
Day. I pray that we all use the occasion
and celebration of this historic date for the purpose of growing closer to our Savior,
Jesus.
A Child of God, Seeking God’s Reformation in My Life,
Pastor Jonathan
****
ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS
FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully
weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have. (I am
always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving
this e-mail for the first time.) However, if you don’t want to receive
this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list
for this message. . . Or, if you know someone who would like to receive one
of these e-mails, please send me their
e-mail address.
****
ST. JOHN NEWS
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