Something to Celebrate

In 1517, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther called for the reopening of the debate on the sale of indulgences and the authority of Rome to absolve people from their sin. He nailed his 95 theses to the doors of All Saints' Church in Wittenburg on October 31. A day to celebrate!

With Luther's bold act, and the swift movement of these ideas using the relatively new printing press, the dawn of the Prodestant Reformation had begun and people began to embrace a spiritual emancipation.

SOLA FIDE
Luther began lecturing on the Psalms, the books of Hebrews, Romans and Galations-- and specifically on the docterine of justification by faith alone through God's grace in Jesus Christ.

"All blessing, honor, thanks and praise
To Father, Son and Spirit,
The God who saved us by His Grace"

~Hymn Written by Sparatus, a leader of the Reformation in Prussia

The hymns of the Reformation were like a herald-- announcing exuberantly that the docterine of God's free grace was being returned to man. Luther wrote many of these hymns, some that indicated this was a time of conflict and strife. One example, is the original wording of "Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word."

Ya... this one didn't really stick:

"Lord, keep us in Thy word and work,
Restrain the murderous pope and Turk,
Who fain would tear from off Thy throne
Christ Jesus, Thy beloved Son."

~ Written in 1541 by Luther when the Turkish invasion threatened to
devestate Europe

And yet, through the conflict, God's grace was being proclaimed again:

"For Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

~Ephesians 2:8-10

And that is something to celebrate! We can know for certain that we have Peace with God through Christ-- not by our works or payment- but by God's grace.

And of course, it is always the most fun to celebrate with family and friends. Thanks for a wonderful visit, Harder family!




Happy celebrating!


Blessings,