withallyourmind.net

I posted this one year ago today:

This evening, throughout America, knocking sounds will be heard as children of all sizes will be dressed in their costumes parading through neighborhoods looking for treats. Christian families will be following their consciences as to their degree of participation. A different knocking was heard 488 years ago on this very day, October 31, as a young monk named Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany (I know it is questioned whether he actually nailed them to the door, but please humor me as it has provided the segue, above.)

Luther’s writing of the “95 Theses” is generally spoken of as the beginning of the protestant reformation. His reason for writing this paper was to contest the abuses of power and errors of the Roman Catholic Church. These theses argue against the selling of indulgences, a fund-raising practice of the church whereby a person can buy their loved-one’s way out of purgatory. Although, Luther had not yet fully developed his gospel of grace, the seeds were contained within this document. He would go on to proclaim that a man is saved by faith alone, and not by works.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Today, I celebrate the courage of a man to stand against the world to proclaim the truth of God’s grace. I am daily comforted by the fact that my salvation does not rest on my own works or righteousness. I don’t deserve it. I cannot earn it. I can do nothing to merit it. I am made righteous by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. That’s it! That is truly something to celebrate. It is the central belief that sets Christianity apart from all world religions. Nothing I do will earn my salvation. My salvation depends on what Christ has done.

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. Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)