Way Up North: Reformation Day

From Dutch Sheets Ministries:

Today’s date is significant in history. While many celebrate Halloween, some will be celebrating a far more important day in history, Reformation Day. Many believers give it little or no thought, most actually do not even know of its existence, but it is a monumental day in history.

Ligonier.org says of this day, “Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517, provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation.

“…This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God.

“Luther recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator.(1)

Significant indeed.

GotQuestions.org Says

“The impact of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation has been enormous on global Christianity. In contrast to the extra-biblical traditions and works-based practices of Roman Catholicism, Luther called the Church back to the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“Luther believed the Word of God was the supreme authority for the Christian faith, rather than tradition or papal decrees. In the process of bringing the Scriptures to the common person, Luther translated the Bible into German, published numerous books and sermons of biblical teachings, and composed numerous hymns based on biblical themes. Many of his hymns are still sung today.”(2)

In their article, 15 Reasons to Celebrate Reformation Day, jusclassical.com states that “The Reformation bridged the gap between sacred and secular and thus created a pride in doing one’s work. The Reformers recognized that all that one does, including the daily mundane tasks, can be and should be done for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Every vocation is important, not just church jobs.

“The true teachings of the Bible freed people by breaking down class distinctions (such as the fallacy that church jobs are better than secular jobs) and by putting a final nail in the coffin of feudalism in Europe.

“Also, knowing that all things are for God’s glory, a door opened for using one’s gifts in all kinds of ways: business and vocational pursuits, economic opportunities, inventions.

“In pursuing God’s exaltation, people want to work hard for God’s glory in whatever they do, hence the Protestant work ethic was born.”(3)

It would be impossible to overstate the impact of the Great Reformation, not only on Christianity, but the entire world. The revelation of the priesthood of all believers meant that we no longer had to connect with God through another person; our High Priest, Jesus Christ, was our only go-between. Salvation by grace through faith meant that we no longer had to work our way to heaven, obeying religious systems and the traditions of men.

Both of these doctrinal shifts freed us to have a personal relationship with God as our Father, allowing us to draw near with full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). Our prayers could now be offered “boldly” to “Our Father, who art in heaven…” (Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 6:9). We could worship the Father in spirit and truth, knowing that He was actually seeking such worshippers (John 4:23). We could actually read the scriptures for ourselves, feeding on them as our daily bread (Matthew 4:4; 6:11).

The Great Reformation changed everything, and continues to do so. It unlocked the door of revelation to believers, allowing us to hear from Holy Spirit personally (Ephesians 1:17-18). We now know we can actually be led by the Spirit, not a go-between (Romans 8:14). Our once fallen souls can now connect to the One we were made to know and love (Song of Songs 3:1-2).

Take some time today and celebrate these blessings. Thank your heavenly Father for the Great Reformation, then ask Him to reform our nation, bringing another great revival of historic proportions. And ask Him to spread this great awakening to the entire earth. Let’s ask for this now.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank You for Jesus, our great High Priest. We come directly to You today through Him alone, approaching Your throne of grace boldly. Thank You for His mediation and advocacy, and for restoring us to Your family.

As Your sons and daughters, entrusted with Christ’s authority, we partake now of His priestly ministry of intercession, asking on behalf of others. Send revival to our land. Deliver, save, and draw many to You in this season, showing them Your heart and nature, enabling them to find the fulfillment that can only come from You. Deliver them from lying teachings and philosophies of men, from deceptions regarding who they really are and what they were made to be. Bring an explosion of truth in our homes, schools, and institutions, freeing people from addictions, perversions, wounds, and all that controls them.

And do this in other nations as well. Open the eyes of the masses who worship other gods and follow teachings that do not lead to You. Send the light of revelation You spoke of in Isaiah and elsewhere. Break the power of principalities in the Middle East. End the violence quickly, bringing down these spirits and releasing a great revival. Spare millions of innocent lives from the destruction that the kingdom of darkness desires to bring. Turn the tables on them quickly.

We ask all of these things in the name of Yeshua. Amen.

Our decree:

We declare that Jesus is our Savior, High Priest, and King. He has bestowed upon us His priestly and kingly role, and we will walk in the fullness of this calling.

31 October 2023

Reformation Day

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