Three Marks of the Reformation

It is sad that most Believers celebrate Halloween instead of Reformation Day on October 31st of each year. God stirred the heart of Martin Luther and many others to address the many issues in the church which had caused it to stray from the truth of Scripture. There are Three Marks of the Reformation which all Believers should be mindful of and thankful for.

SOLA SCRIPTURA is the first Mark. The church insisted that the only proper interpretation of Scripture is what the church had given through the Priests. In some instances the teaching of the Priest was held in more esteem than what the Scriptures actually taught. The Reformers were insistent on Scripture only to be our rule of faith and living. In Scripture God reveals himself to man:

Genesis 1-2, Elohim the omnipotent God who sovereignly created all things
Genesis 17, El Shaddai, the only source of our comfort and blessing
Exodus 3:14, the covenant God of grace who never changes
John 8:44, Jesus reveals Himself and "I Am" or Yahweh

It is also in Scripture that we learn about the original sin of mankind, Genesis 3, and John 3:16 and 14:6 where Jesus is the only way of salvation.

SOLA GRATIA is the second Mark. In Luther's day the church was basically teaching a works salvation. The Reformers were very strong insisting that salvation came by God's grace alone, Ephesians 2:8-9. In addition to salvation being a work of God's grace, Paul stated that it was by God's grace that he was the person he was, 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. Another aspect of God's grace is that His grace is sufficient for us in whatever we are facing in life, especially trying times, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

SOLA FIDE is the last Mark of the Reformation. First of all, faith does not come from within the Believer but it is a gift from God, Ephesians, 2:8. Secondly, it is not the quantity of faith that we have but the quality of faith, Luke 17:1-6. The faith given to us by the Lord is more than sufficient for us in all circumstances in life. Finally, we are to live our lives on a daily basis by our faith, Romans 1:17. Every aspect of the life of a Believer is evidence of the faith we have in the Lord.

We take these truths for granted because we are so far removed from the time that the church was not teaching them. These three Marks are so important because they are not only the Marks of the Reformation but they are the heart of the gospel. In the sixty-second thesis of Marin Luther's ninety-five we read, "The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God." May each of us strive to guard these truths give to us by the Lord.