The Great "Reformed"ation

As many in our society eagerly anticipate the day of October 31st for reasons of candy and goodies, there are those among us who can't help but recall reading about something greater in history. It was October 31, 1517 when a touched by grace preacher and theologian named Martin Luther set the Catholic world on fire by nailing 95 challenges to the door of a Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany. This event was one that helped kick off what we understand to be the Great Reformation.

During this time false teachings had perverted the church and just a handful of men were discerning and preaching the truth of God. Unfortunately we are seeing the same pervasive attitude and situation in evangelical churches today. Numerical values, whether monetary or head count, often out weigh the necessity of preaching the gospel.

It is VBS time in the Southern Baptist world and we now have church after church accepting public professions of faith from five and six year old children that have absolutely zero understanding of sin. I do not expect a child of this age to grasp total depravity but the scriptures are clear that one "must" be born again, forsaking sin through God given repentance and clinging to Christ and Christ alone for salvation.

Look at Luther's first few points:

1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, "Repent" (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.

2. This word cannot be understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, that is, confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.

3. Yet it does not mean solely inner repentance; such inner repentance is worthless unless it produces various outward mortification of the flesh.

(source for Luther's theses)

Many evangelical churches have resorted to this very same distorted view of Catholicism. For many, to repent means nothing more than "confessing that you are a sinner". There is a broader meaning to this word that even children must grasp if they are to be born again by the Spirit of God. This is not to say that children are not under divine protection ( I believe they are) but rather that even children who are recipients of God's grace must come to terms with their sin nature and their own state of depravity.

I see an awakening to biblical truths beginning to take place but not apart from the preaching of biblical truth. Just last night I was part of a conversation that encouraged me greatly. One man who was reading the Bible recognized that his denominational teaching material did not align with the scriptures. Oh' that we would all read the Bible and be converted by God instead of reading a teachers guide and being falsely converted by an upbeat program.

Lord, send us revival as we seek to honor You above all. My you receive glory from our actions, words and deeds and may we never deny Your sovereignty or Your wonderful grace.