Dear Fellow Forgiven Sinners,
There are many sayings along the lines of “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” The idea behind them, driven by our need to earn what we receive because we don’t want to feel like we owe someone anything. It’s a natural reaction for us to do things for someone in exchange for receiving things from them. And if we do get a free lunch … we likely ask, “What’s the catch?”
This isn’t a modern dilemma. It probably goes back as far as the first time Eve went to the store to get new fig leaves for the family. It was certainly the cause of Martin Luther’s extreme anxiety back in the early 1500s. He struggled mightily with the idea that he simply wasn’t good enough … hadn’t done enough … to earn God’s favor. Stories of Martin’s self-abuse are legendary as he tried to earn God’s favor, and thus His forgiveness. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Martin Luther believed this with all his heart, soul, and mind. However, due to his many fallings short, he couldn’t accept God’s grace and mercy; because he, as a sinner, hadn’t done anything to deserve it. And this left him distressed and overcome by guilt.
Then Luther read Romans 1:17, in the original Greek, as opposed to the Latin used in the church at the time. In reading the original Greek, Luther discovered that it wasn’t his adherence to the law that earned him God’s grace, but rather … it’s through simple “faith,” which God gives freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ, that God gives His righteousness, justifying them … making believers right with Him … by forgiving their sins. Luther finally understood that “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine” doesn’t apply when it comes to God’s grace and mercy. True enough “all have sinned” … but equally, and more importantly, “All … are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.” (Romans 3:24) This life changing discovery changed the course of Luther’s life … leading him to join many others in his day to reform the Christian church and its doctrine on how God’s Word actually tells us we’re freed from the power of sin, death, and the devil.
As Martin Luther posted in famous 95 Theses, his intent wasn’t to create a new denomination, but to get the church talking and thinking about changes to correct errant teachings on how God saved His people through His grace and mercy, found only in His Word. The church of his day didn’t appreciate Luther’s, or many other reformers’, ideas on reform, labeling them heretics. Thankfully, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God protected Luther and enabled him and the many other reformers to bring about needed change so that today, God’s creation, including all mankind, can hear and believe Jesus’ promise that, “If the Son sets you free (from sin), you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) … and … there’s no catch whatsoever! Rejoice fellow saints … you’re forgiven!
Your Fellow Forgiven Sinner,
Pastor Jim