“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” – Mark 10:52
Happy Reformation Day! While most people are celebrating something else today, this is the true cause for celebration. October 31, 1517 marks the beginning of what would become the Protestant Reformation. Though there had been various reform movements in prior centuries, this is the one that gained lasting traction and guided Christians in the West back to the simple faith and clear teaching of Scripture. In protesting the corrupt sale of indulgences to fund church construction by claiming to release souls from suffering in purgatory, Martin Luther began a return to the authority of Jesus, the Word made flesh, and the Bible, the Word of God.
At the heart of the Reformation was the return to the Bible as the authoritative teaching of God over against any and all man-made traditions in the church. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone! The crown jewel of the return to Scripture was the rediscovery of the Gospel and the doctrine of Grace. We are saved not by good works or by the efforts of the church but by God’s grace alone (Sola Gratia) through faith alone (Sola Fide) in Christ alone (Solus Christus). All for the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria)!
In returning to the plain teachings of Jesus, the Apostles, and the prophets, our eyes were collectively opened. Like blind men and women who were desperate to see Jesus, Christians in the West recovered their sight and were free to follow Jesus. He is our only means of salvation. The healing of our souls from slavery is only accomplished through faith in Him. Like that blind man who was healed, #FollowJesus!