Title: Only Jesus Christ
Contents
Only Jesus Christ / Romans 1:16-17, John 6:53-58
Today is Reformation Sunday. On October 31, 1517, 483 years ago, the young Reformer Martin Luther raised the 95 theses protest at the W ttenberg Cathedral, and the Reformation began. At that time, Pope Leo X fell into a lot of corruption when he sold atonement tickets to build Peter's Basilica. This fact can be said to be the beginning of Martin Luther's Reformation to insist on a public debate.
The whole of Europe was engulfed in the flames of reform by Martin Luther, a courageous young man who cried out how corrupt the church was at that time, but in the midst of it, the church should not be like this. Therefore, we Christians are reminding ourselves of the reform spirit of that time and awakening ourselves by keeping the last week of October as Reformation Sunday.
The Reformed spirit is, in a word, "Let's go back to the original church." It is the root of the Reformation to restore the appearance of the early church that Jesus established the church.
At that time, the medieval church grew quantitatively and seized power, internally corrupted, and fell into the abyss of corruption. The movement to return to the original shape of the church in this way was the Reformation. When the Reformers undertook such a movement, they summarized one particular creed. It is called a doctrine or a creed, which later influenced the Reformed Church a lot. This is to faith alone, the Bible alone, Jesus Christ alone, and God alone glory.
This era is also overflowing with syncretism and religious pluralism, and secularism is deeply penetrating into the church. At this time, on Reformation Sunday, we will have time to review and examine the true shape of the church and our faith, and try to learn the faith of the Reformers who are our ancestors.
So first, let's think about Martin Luther.
Martin Luther was born into a Christian family, majored in law, and had the idea to control corruption in the world through law. One day, while walking on a country road with a friend, Martin Luther saw his friend struck by lightning and died. He was a Roman Catholic priest and became a seminary professor. However, he was thinking a lot about the issue of salvation and the righteous. As he was praying as he climbed Peter's Basilica on his knees, a word passed through his head.
"But the righteous will live by faith."
From that time on, he took up the banner of reform with courage by the word of God. Still a young priest, he further studies theology and begins writing his thesis. The key point of his thesis is that man's salvation does not come by human merit, but only through faith. At the same time, he rejected the theory of purgatory and the token of atonement, saying it was against the Word.
He lectured on this truth and provoked the Reformation with 95 rebuttals. A young man brought about these reforms against the pope, who held great power.
There is a truth we want to learn here. Of course, it is important to have the reform of the church in your heart, but it is the image of Martin Luther who tried to stand upright with the word without fear in the presence of the divine authority of the Pope.
The present church reality is also in need of a second reform. At a time when the church is receiving much condemnation from the world, we really need to re-examine our faith. I have to listen to them soberly and see if I really am a Christian. The church we belong to needs reflection and self-reflection as to whether it is okay for me to continue going out like this.
There was a creed held by the Reformers at that time. We want to check it out by looking at it.
Their first creed was "Faith alone" (Ephesians 2:8). Our salvation comes from faith in Jesus. This is the gospel. We want to defeat the ideology of merit that prevails around us. All religions are based on beliefs. However, in Christianity, it is important to keep in mind the word “only.” The difference between Christianity and Catholicism is that it is the difference between “only” and “but.” Christianity is faith alone, and Catholicism only faith, but there must be merit or works. .
Romans 3:28 says, "Therefore, we acknowledge that a person is justified by faith, and not by works of the law."
The Bible declares that we are justified by God by believing in the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, not by any merit or works (Romans 1:17).
Second, only the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
All religions value their scriptures. However, our Christianity confesses only the Bible as the only law of God. Article 1 of the Presbyterian Creed provides such a basis. The Word of God is the only rule of faith and action. (Hebrews 4:12, John 5:39)
Third, only Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, said in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 1 Timothy 2:5 also tells us that only Jesus is our mediator between God and us. However, Catholics believe in Mary's atonement and intercession. It even claims the divinity of the Pope, so that the decree of the Pope is to be equal to the Word of God. Jesus made it clear that He was the way. Jesus Christ alone is the root of our faith.
Who is Jesus really to me? How do we believe in Jesus? (John 5:55-56) Truly, Jesus has given us new life. We are a life united with Jesus. The parable of the vine and the branches in John 15 illustrates this very well. Jesus and I are living as one living being.
That is why we live forever through the life we have gained through Jesus.
In conclusion, let me tell you.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
For the sake of Christ, who has given us new life, we must live only to the glory of God.