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Cross Points
Lives Centered in Christ

It is Reformation Day today. May God hallow it and we observe it.

The Reformation of the church is an historical event. It's not an abstract exercise, a fiction or mythology. The true reformation is a present, active working of God who transforms lives through the power of the Gospel bringing people from the darkness of sin and superstition into the light of Christ.

The Lutheran Reformation is not an observance of folklore or merely persevering a Lutheran tradition like re-enactors who wear vintage costumes and impersonate the speech or manner of historic figures.

Perhaps you have been to events like Bay City's River of Time and seen various people representing French fur traders, Civil War soldiers, or prairie pioneers. There is interest and value to such events which give us a window into the past.

But when re-enactors put away their temporary costumes and implements and return to their RVs to drive home we should remember history is being made right now.

History is dynamic, and the God of history, not a god of legend or fable, but the God of the Incarnation and of Calvary, the God of our real baptism in water by the Word and the tangible, corporeal, and real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper, is transforming lives right now.

The Reformation is not past tense, past era, or old news. It is history repeating itself. It is God repeating the eternal Word of life and forgiveness through His active gifts of Word and Sacrament today. It is Christ arousing in you the confession of His Name, not as an impressionist of somebody else but as a confessor in your own right.

The Reformation is God working repentance and faith in you and declaring to you the truth of His justification of sinners by grace for the sake of Christ alone.

Now, perhaps a century or two from now (should Christ delay in his return) there will be people masquerading as us. Maybe in that future gneration they will reenact the old-fashioned use of cell phones or dig out I-pods from the antique store and wear the outdated ear-buds and fashions of our time.

But the true reformation will continue as the history of God's unchanging love through His Son continues to renew those who repent and the Good News of Christ's justification of the world is repeated for every day and everyone.

Pastor Reed
© 2008

Reformation Day

Romans 3:19-28

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

(ESV)

A Bit More

A couple of things.

1.) Go Western!

2.) Nobody should be late for worship this Sunday. With the time change you will have an extra hour.

3.) Enjoy trick-or-treating. It's not a night to play the devil but to thumb our nose at him.