The Re-Formation

Last Sunday was Reformation Sunday.  I was struck by the sermon given at my lovely new home church.  Here, I have chronicled my conversation with myself on the drive home:

What was preached at other churches today?  Was is about evil?  Was it about all the things to watch out for on Halloween?  Stumbling blocks and protecting your spirit?  Halloween on a Sunday is prime fodder for “watch out!” sermons.

My pastor discussed Martin Luther today.  In doing so, he talked about grace–the core of Luther’s theological discomfort.  Technically, his discomfort was in the lack of grace being displayed by the Roman Catholic church at the time.  (15717) Luther was appalled by the notion of paying for God’s love, salvation, grace, in the form of indulgences.  What would Luther say about these “careful where you tred” sermons in terms of grace?  Are they another way of showing our disbelief in God’s application of grace?

One of the difficult navigations of upbringing was the preaching I heard about “the sin that so easily entangles you.”  Indeed, this is what sin does.  Indeed, the devil sneaks around like “a lion looking for something to devour.”  It is absolutely important to take care of your spirit, even guarding it from evil.  However, the persistent and insistent preaching that I heard from ages 12-19 created a fear within my heart.  Somehow it was unbalanced.  Even if it was full of truthful intent, it did not promote the grace that Martin Luther so valiantly fought for.  Instead, it stopped me in my tracks.  I couldn’t stomach the idea of losing my place in God’s family because I lost control.  So I controlled myself.

And that it just the thing.  I do not need to be in control.  I only need grace and, what do you know, there is an abundance of it.  You see, I have been given grace not only by God, but also by the saints who have gone before me.  People who literally stood up and said, “No.  There is truth to be given to future believers.  We will not settle for less than God’s best.”  For centuries before me, saints have believed in the value of me, as part of the future church–the future people of God.  I have been fought for in heaven and on earth.  Luther fought for me when he denounced the idea that money was the way to heaven; he stood up for grace.  He fought for my right to accept God’s grace.  And he is just one example.

I am grateful to be reminded today that I am fightable-for.  Yes, I am worthy of a good fight.  Hallelujah!  I am now caught in the daring and solid grasp of God’s grace–grace that flings me from the paralyzing edges of uncertainty into the movement of life.  I do not need to fear my stumbling because I know my place in God’s family has been covered in prayer and theological action.  Happy Reformation Day.