Devotion – Reformation Theology

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:22-24)

Reformed Theology

This month concludes with a Commemoration of the Reformation, otherwise known amongst most Lutherans as Reformation Sunday. Martin Luther was certainly not the only person the Holy Spirit was working in to critique the Roman Catholic Church.  His 95 Theses pinned to the door of the Wittenburg church and the many years of discourse between his supporters and those opposed, ultimately ushered in the protestant church and what is now referred to as Reformed Theology.

It is this theology- this understanding of God that should be the focus of our commemorations, not Luther himself (and I dare say he would support this statement wholeheartedly!). One of the biggest gifts of the Reformation was the clarity and emphasis placed on God’s movement towards us (to humanity). How do we attain salvation, by the reception of what God has done, or as Paul so eloquently puts it, all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

God Loves us

The fact that we are made righteous (are made right with God) by means of a gift from God is one of the most beautiful truths we can take a hold of and proclaim. I think it is a very human desire to ‘work’ things out for ourselves; if there is a debt owed, not only do we want to see it paid, we like to think we contribute to clearing it or are at least worthy of someone clearing it for us. This is why we as Christians, as a church, as a species, need to be reminded again and again- that the debt incurred by sin is covered by God and not by us. Not because we are worth it or have earned it- but because God loves us.

Having the likes of Luther hold to this truth so surely, to the point of excommunication and threats upon their very lives makes me thankful. It inspires me, as I hope it does you, to have a sure confidence in what God has done, is doing and will continue to do.

As we commemorate the Reformation this year, I hope and pray that as a church we not only celebrate Luther and the conclusions he was led to, but that we to would be led by the Spirit to seek God’s truth and proclaim it to a world that needs to know what God has done for them too.

Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday will be observed in the Lutheran Churches in New Zealand on 25 October 2026. Some congregations may elect to observe on 1 November 2026.