Reformation Day, 2021

Rev. Thomas Van Hemert

Romans 3:19-28

Reformation Day

October 31, 2021

In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit.

In 1517, when the young man Martin Luther, a professor of Theology at the University of Wittenberg, wrote his 95 Theses and posted them on the doors of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, there didn’t seem to be any malicious intent, at least in my reading and understanding of his actions. Luther was concerned about a practice that had been taken up in his church when it came to the Doctrine of Justification and consequently, the forgiveness of sins. He understood justification to be tied directly to faith. After all, this is what the Bible teaches. For St. Paul says in Romans, chapter 3, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” But the practice Luther was witnessing, tied the Doctrine of Justification to the works of men—that you must buy your way out of sin, death, and the power of the devil. This was a result of an understanding and belief that God was angry with sinners and His wrath needed to be appeased by what were called, “works of satisfaction.” A work of satisfaction was something you offered up to God, because there was still work to be done for your soul. Justification of the sinner was not complete, according to the Medieval school of theology. Jesus’ propitiation, His sacrifice, His covering of our sins, wasn’t quite enough.

Luther was concerned. This theology and way of thinking did not sit well with him. So he wrote up what we know as the 95 Theses—points that he was willing to take up and debate with other professors, other theologians, pastors, and bishops. Luther did not remain anonymous. He signed his name to these theses. Not only that, but he sent a personal letter to the archbishop of that area addressing his concerns personally. Luther cared for his people. He cared for his parishioners. He cared even for those who were in positions of authority above him. His desire was to bring the practice and theology of the Church back into Biblical understanding, that “one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

And so, this is why I don’t believe there was malicious intent by Luther posting the 95 Theses, his goal was certainly to call those who were teaching false doctrine to confess their sins and change their ways. He wanted to gain them back as his brothers in the faith. In fact, the first of his 95 theses says, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent.’ He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Christians are different from non-believers. Believers have been born again and washed anew in Holy Baptism and now stand justified by grace through faith. The life of the Christian is then realizing that you are a sinner in thought, word, and deed and that you are no less of a sinner than your neighbor. Thus, sin should create discomfort in the conscience. It creates terror over the fact that sin actually damns everyone to hell, and that without Christ, sinners stand helpless in the presence of God, who is the Judge of all.

This terror of the conscience—that because we sin, by right, we should be damned to hell—is brought on by the Holy Spirit who is desires to work faith and repentance in the Christian. Our Lutheran Fathers called this terror of the conscience “contrition.” It is the first part of repentance. But repentance does not have only one part, that is, realizing and recognizing sin. The other part of repentance is faith. A simple faith, born of the Gospel, thus, St. Paul, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Faith is born of the Absolution, that is the forgiveness pronounced upon believers whenever they confess their sins and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven. This provides an incredible comfort for stricken consciences, which are held captive by sin, because receiving Holy Absolution frees the captive conscience from the constraint of the Devil. But when forgiveness is pronounced, even by the pastor, even by a layperson, it is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.

So take comfort in that fact that your sins bother you. It means you are beginning to realize you don’t belong to this world, or your sinful flesh, or Satan. It is good that you are recognizing this. That’s the first part of Repentance. Now all that is left is to come and confess your sins, lay your heart bare before God, and receive His free forgiveness, won by Jesus on the cross. For you are justified by Him, even as you stand now.

This is what’s at the very heart of the Reformation. This is where Martin Luther started his Reformation: with the Doctrine of Repentance. For when our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent.” He willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.

Now of course, directly related to the Doctrine of Repentance is the Doctrine of Justification. Traditionally, our Lutheran Fathers have called the Doctrine of Justification, “The Doctrine on which the Church stands or falls.” Everything flows out of Justification. For if we were not justified by God, that is, if we were not declared to be set apart and Holy for Christ’s sake, we would have nothing. There would be no forgiveness. We wouldn’t be able to enjoy camaraderie with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We certainly wouldn’t have the Sacraments. In the end, there would be no hope for us. There would be no assurance for stricken consciences. 

But the Father’s only-begotten Son became a propitiation for us. Just as in the Old Testament, the High Priest would take the blood of the lamb and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat—the cover of the Ark of the Covenant—which was kept in the Holy of Holies, so also now Jesus shed His blood and sprinkled it on the cross, which was His altar. He is our Prophet, our King, and our Priest. He is Himself the Paschal Victim, which appeases His Father’s burning wrath. God is not angry with you. In Jesus, you find a God who loves you and who calls you by name. He grants you a seat at His table and makes you an heir and partaker with Him.

In fact, this is what makes Biblical Christianity, in a sense, the easiest religion in the world. We don’t have to offer our filthy rag-works in a feeble attempt to appease God’s wrath. We don’t have to make daily sacrifices in temples of pagan gods, such as Zeus or Artemis. We don’t have to follow and abide by a set of 5 pillars of a false religion. Because if your religion must be held up by 5 pillars, it must be a weak religion. For Christ is our cornerstone. On Christ, the solid rock we stand. That is enough. For us weak and lowly sinners. Nor must we go door to door evangelizing, wearing certain uniforms and trying to convince others that our church is the true historic church. We don’t offer up works of satisfactions as sacrifices. Jesus is our sacrifice. He is our propitiation. His blood covers our sins. For Jesus is our Mighty Fortress. His Word is our trusty shield and weapon. He is the Valiant One who fights for us and rules over creation. His enemies have been placed under His footstool. Your enemy, the devil has been placed under His footstool. Sinners with stricken consciences can flee to Him and find refuge because there is no sin for which He has not paid. All the devil’s accusations mean nothing. Jesus loves you and His desire is you always remember this. Take comfort, then,  in the infinite mercy of God. His mercy and grace are infinitely greater than your sins. For you are justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

In +Jesus’ name.