It is October, and that means that Reformation Sunday is approaches. This is more than simply a day to wear red. It is a time for remembering the contribution of the Lutheran Reformation on how the church universal can take seriously the message of the gospel. Too often we think that Martin Luther discovered the concept of God’s grace, but that is misleading and too focused on the past. What is more important, I think, are insights that we get from Luther and the Reformers of his time that help us better understand what God is doing in our midst today.
The church in Luther’s time did in fact teach that we were only saved by God’s grace. The bigger issue was what we needed to do to participate in that grace. As it was taught to Luther, it was that while of course God was merciful and gracious, we needed to do our part to want to receive that grace. We had to do what we are capable of and then God will do the rest. God’s grace will do the heavy lifting, but we need to show up and at least try to be a good person. I think most Christians still think this way. The problem that Luther had with this is that it left him in continual anxiety. How much is enough? How do I know that I’ve tried enough to be worthy of mercy? Isn’t there always something more that I could do? However much he did, he could not be sure that it was sufficient. As long as we need to do something, we are left to continually worry that we have not done everything we are supposed to do. The only answer that quelled Luther’s anxiety was the realization that God does everything. We do not need to make ourselves worthy in any way. God comes all the way to us.
I think this insight continues to speak to us. The culture around us tells us that there is always more that we need to do. No matter how much work we do, there’s always something more that we could do. No matter how much we volunteer, there’s always more that needs doing. No matter how much time we spend on family and household matters, there is no time that we can stop and say with certainty that it is enough. We, like Luther, are left in unending anxiety. We might be more focused on worldly duties while Luther spoke of eternal salvation, but these are not two unrelated things – they are both about how we are to live faithfully with the time, abilities, and choices that are available to us. One of the values of Luther’s Reformation insight is that our anxiety and stress level comes from assuming that we must do enough. Grace comes in realizing that God is sufficient. Our value is not dependent on getting enough done but on resting in God’s love. In fact, it is more than rest it is also rejoicing in the rest given to us by God’s grace and love. This is the basis of a life of joy in God rather than stress at needing to do it all ourselves. As we come to Reformation Day this year, may we rejoice in resting in God.