October is “Reformation Month,” at least for us Lutherans it is.

Though we like to point to October 31, 1517 (when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church, Wittenberg, Germany), as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which by the way, forever changed Church and State, the birth pangs of the Reformation began some years before (1513?), when, in preparing for a lecture series on the Book of Romans, chapter 1:16-17 spoke to Luther as never before.  From these two verses came his doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone.

Fast forward to the Diet of Worms (1521) when and where Luther refused to recant his criticisms of the Catholic Church.   Most of us are familiar with his final words: “Here I stand.  I can do no other.  God help me.  Amen.”

Some have said that the Reformation was a “back to the Bible” movement, an attempt to steer the Church back to its Gospel foundation.

What was it to and upon which Luther stood and refused to budge?  The Gospel.  It was the truth of God’s Word and conscience, his conscience which was captive to obeying God’s Word of truth.  He was willing to stand on this “hill” and stand alone, if necessary.  This is what was at the heart of the Reformation.

The Church today is in desperate need, not just of revival, but more so of reformation.  There is great need in the Church today for Luthers (men, women, and children of all ages) to arise – believers who know the “truth,” its Source, and are willing to stand alone, if necessary, in its proclamation and defense.

Sadly, the culture has infiltrated the Church far too deeply in our day.  Could the reason be that the Church has been failing to infiltrate the culture by unashamedly standing firm on absolute truth and its conscience taken captive to obeying it?

One lesson learned from the Reformation is that standing firm on truth will not only reform the Church but the State as well.

Let’s pray that the spirit and the heart of the Reformation be revived in us today.