Thursday, October 31, 2019 - Day 304 - Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone

REFORMATION DAY (Today’s Bible readings: Revelation 14:6-7; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36)

“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Today is Reformation Day, the day we celebrate the beginning of the Reformation 502 years ago! This day is all about the grace of God lavished upon sinners like us.

Scripture Alone It was the truths he discovered in God’s Word, the Bible, that led Martin Luther to the Good News that we are saved from our sins and eternal damnation.

Grace Alone God’s undeserved blessings of forgiveness and heaven to all who repent and believe.

Faith Alone We are justified by faith in Jesus as our Savior from sin, and not by our own attempts to merit God’s mercy.

Here is a link to how this all came together for Luther:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e_G8LKfGoo&feature=youtu.be

These words capture the essence of Faith Alone, Grace Alone and Scripture Alone:

Salvation unto us has come
By God’s free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom,
They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one Redeemer.
(“Salvation Unto Us Has Come,” The Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #555 stanza 1)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for setting me free from sin, death and the devil. Please use me to share the Good News of Your mercy and grace with others who need You just as desperately as I do.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!