Today is Reformation Sunday and a reminder of the gracious path to abundant and everlasting life in Christ.
On this day in 1517, Martin Luther, a German Monk, reminded the church we can never pay the debt for our own forgiveness of sins.*
Jesus paid for that.
Done.
It is finished.
This is the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 – we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone and none of us can do enough good works to earn this amazing gift of grace.
This kind of amazing and redeeming grace should reform our hearts and lives to the point that others will see that Jesus has truly set us free.
Those who have a revelation of how amazing this undeserved favor of God is, do not make light of it by continuing to live a rebellious and sinful lifestyle. Instead, those who are experiencing the benefits of God’s gracious gift of forgiveness and mercy, are moved to living empowered by grace.
“Reform” defined – To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
Redeemed by the blood.
Reformed by the Spirit.
Transformed by The Word.
Called to share the grace,
shine the light,
and
proclaim the truth,
so all others can hear
and receive it.
Jesus altered my heart, my lifestyle, and my state of mind.
He gave me a place at the King’s Table for now and all of time.
Rise up royal sons and daughters.
It’s your time to rise and shine.
Reformer’s arise.
God has redeemed and reformed us for His glory and purpose, to advance His kingdom mission in the world where we live.
May we all be awakened to release all the power of God’s Spirit and His gracious good gifts.
Reformer’s arise for such a time as this.
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Ephesians 2:8-9 Amplified Bible
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
Romans 5:17-18
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 6:1-4
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Romans 6:14
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:5-7
*Martin Luther forever changed Christianity when he nailed his ’95 Theses’ to a church door sparking the Protestant Reformation.
Ponder It 