Oct 31, 2010 2 Peter 3:1-10

Today is Reformation Sunday for those who follow the liturgical church year. In 1517 the Catholic Pope wanted to build a new cathedral and in order to do so, wanted to collect extra money from its parishioners. The Catholic Church's theology states that active faith means doing good works, and giving money to the church is considered a good work. Martin Luther protested this thesis and wrote the now famous 95 thesis regarding this. Martin Luther's intent was not to break away from the Catholic Church but he questioned the reasoning of the church. Martin Luther's thesis is that we are saved by grace. Marting Luther states that there is no justification without sanctification.

And what is justification and sanctification? I'm glad you asked!

Justification means that Christ when died on the cross for our sins  - our sins were forgiven. A gift from God to those who have faith in Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NAS)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Sanctification means that we are saved by only by our good works. And this was Martin Luther's argument - that people were saved only by good works. Once we are saved we DO want to do good works to continue the kingdom of God, so we are not off the hook of living the easy life once we are saved. These two go hand in hand. I think - in my humble opinion - that Luther's argument was that we should willing want to help the church not be told you will go to hell (eternal life without God) if you don't give to help build the church. I do not want to pit one church against another.  However that being said - no matter what church you belong to - or what particular minister preaches from the pulpit - arm yourself with the knowledge of the bible. KNOW what God's word is. And if after prayerful consideration you discern that the church's teaching does not match what you believe to be what God has written, then ask questions, open dialogue with your minister. Do this in a godly manner.

This is heavy stuff but important. When we read Romans we will dig deeper into all of this.

One other fact about Martin Luther - through the invention of the printing press - Martin Luther transcribed the bible from Latin into German - he was German - so that the common man could read and understand the bible for themselves.

And because it is Reformation Sunday - I am providing the hymn A Mighty Fortress is our God. This hymn is taken from Psalm 46.This youtube rendition is unique and good. My friends who know me will be surprised with my selection - this is a contemporary version of this wonderful old hymn. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V31kdmhJmbM

1 A mighty Fortress is our God,

A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The prince of darkness grim, -
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

4 That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is for ever.

Amen

And now on to our daily bible reading 2 Peter 3:1-11. Did I get off track or what?  But it's all good.

Verses 1-2 Peter reminds us again to keep our minds wholesome and to remember what the prophets so long ago, and what Christ spoke through the apostles.

Verses 3-4 In the late days the scoffers will mock the truth. They are more concerned with themselves than Christ's return.

Verses 5-7 They forgot about God, and he caused water to flood and destroy man. Now he saves the fire for judgement when the ungodly will be destroyed.

Verses 8