Happy Reformation Day!

502 years ago, Europe was about to be swept over by the historic reformation movement, sparked by a mere German monk, Martin Luther.

What began from a small town near Berlin called Wittenberg, the movement then spread quickly to Switzerland, France, England, and other parts of Europe for the next two centuries.

If there could only be a single takeaway from the truths recovered by the reformers that’s of value, it’s this:

The horror of our sins are far worse than we could ever imagine, but we’re much more deeply loved than we could ever dare to believe.

The reformation rediscovered the joy of communing with Christ!

The idea of enjoying God may sound like a silly theoretical notion, a practice anchored in our frail feelings. Yet it’s actually the opposite!

The gospel reminds us that the reason behind God’s acceptance of us is not our potential to do good, but rather that He is Goodness Himself from which everything good derives (Psalms 16:1-3, Psalms 19). Without Him drawing us to Himself, we won’t even take a single look to Christ (Isaiah 53:1-3, John 6:44). As He invites us to come, He doesn’t just linger and wait, hoping for us to seek Him. He even gives us the power to come (Ephesians 2, Romans 9)!

All of this is grace (Ephesians 2:4-9, Hebrews 10).

As we reflect on the gospel, this should redirect our gaze from our to-do list to the matchless worth of what Christ has done in our behalf.

We base our communion not in our sheer willpower, but in what God Himself has done (Isaiah 25:9, Psalm 126:3). We boast not in our ability to hold unto God, but that we may take delight in the truth that He is the One who has been holding us the whole time (Psalms 91:12, Ephesians 1:3-10, Phillipians 1:6). We boast not in our capability to love God, but that He loves us (1 John 4:10); and that it’s not because we’re lovable, but solely because of His sovereign and perfect will (Romans 9:10-18).

When we think much more of what God has done, we could then think less of ourselves and enjoy Him more.

We can escape from the performance treadmill, thinking that we could be better Christians by doing more. Christ has done it all! And interestingly, through this knowledge, we’re compelled to work even harder for the Lord. Now we don’t work begrudgingly to gain acceptance, but rather do so joyfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) because we have been accepted (1 Corinthians 6:20).

“As the Father has loved me [Jesus], so have I loved you.

Abide in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

(John 15:9-11)

Happy Reformation Day!