Celebrate the Reformation
Celebrate the Reformation
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
I’m not suggesting a special worship service. In worship you will be reminded of the events and truths of the Reformation. But the term “celebrate” speaks of our reaction to these truths. That celebration cannot be confined within the walls of our churches. That celebration needs to take place in our homes, in our schools, and at our places of work.
Let people see your freedom from guilt
We have been “called to be free.” Paul was speaking about freedom from the law of God. People were trying to convince the Galatian Christians that their salvation was dependent on their obedience. But we have been freed from the law’s condemnation because Jesus became “a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). This is a truth reclaimed in the Reformation. We are saved through faith in Christ Jesus apart from anything we do.
Do you celebrate that freedom at work? Is it evident to your coworkers that you know that you are forgiven? Or does the heavy load of guilt still cause your shoulders to stoop? Sometimes people joke about “Catholic guilt,” but Lutherans carry around plenty of guilt too. On Reformation Sunday, reclaim that freedom from guilt. Hear the announcement of forgiveness in Christ. Look at the baptismal font and see all your sins washed away. Taste and eat that forgiveness in the body and blood of your Savior.
Then let the Spirit use you to model the joy of that freedom throughout the rest of the week. Let your confidence be evident. Because you are free from the law’s condemnation, you know that God is with you. You know that God is working in you. You know that the future is bright because God is going to make everything work out for your good. This is all part of your freedom in Christ. The people around you desperately need to see you celebrate that you are free.
Serve one another in love
But Paul warned that we can misuse that freedom. “Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” We have been freed from the fear of punishment so that we can become willing servants, servants of Christ and so also servants to our family, coworkers, and friends.
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