Introduction
Greetings beloved Lutherans and praying this message finds you well! You may be aware that October is a very busy month for Lutheran churches globally! The reason is obvious – In October 1517, the Lutheran Church was born. The main point of the Reformation was that: “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
Reformation Celebration
On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate not just a moment in history, but an eternal truth rediscovered: we are saved by grace through faith in Christ—not by our works, efforts, or merit. This is not only the battle of the Reformation 500 years ago but it’s the daily struggle inside each one of us.
Problem
The Church throughout history has faced many errors. Again and again, false teachings arise, and each time the Church returns to God’s Word to seek truth. The Reformation was one of those times. At its heart was a critical question: How are we made right with God? Is it through our works or God’s grace? Scripture or tradition? Christ alone or Christ plus something else?
Martin Luther
The “Little Monk” Within
Martin Luther taught that there’s a little monk—a little Pharisee—living inside each of us. This false teacher, our sinful flesh, whispers old lies: “If God commands it, I must be able to do it.”
“To be righteous, I must earn it.”
“Yes, salvation is by faith—but surely I must add something.”
These lies are hard to shake because they seem reasonable. If God commands us to obey, shouldn’t we be able to? But Scripture tells us something different: “By works of the law, no human being will be justified in His sight” (Rom. 3:20). God’s law doesn’t show us how to save ourselves—it shows us our need for a Savior.
Boasting?
Like a child boasting that he can win a surefire contest, our sinful hearts boast in what we think we can do for God. And God, like a loving Father, gives us the command—not to crush us unfairly, but to show us we cannot do it on our own. The law stops our boasting and drives us to Christ.
Righteousness of Christ: Not Achieved, But Received
Luther struggled deeply with the idea of “the righteousness of God.” He thought it meant God’s perfect standards—the righteousness we had to achieve. That made him terrified and angry, until he realized a stunning truth: God’s righteousness is not something we earn, it’s something He gives.
Faith
Faith is how we receive a promise—not a command. And God’s promise is this: Christ’s perfect obedience, His righteousness, is credited to us. You are not only forgiven—your record is filled with the perfect life of Jesus. That’s what faith receives.
Grace
No Add-Ons to Grace
Still, our sinful nature wants to add something. We say, “Yes, grace—but surely I need to contribute something, even a little.” But the answer is no. Salvation is by faith alone—not faith and love, or faith and obedience, or faith and effort. The moment we add anything, we take away from Christ.
When you’re weak, sick, or unable to serve, God doesn’t love you less. When you feel useless, you are still beloved. You are not saved because of what you can do. You are saved because of what Jesus has done—for you.
Gospel
The Joy of the Gospel!
This is what Reformation Sunday celebrates: that we are justified by faith, apart from works. Christ’s righteousness is ours. Heaven is opened to us. God sees us!
Happy Reformation!