Saved by God’s grace, through our faith

Reformation Day is on 31 October, but a special service is typically celebrated on the Sunday before or after that date. The Lutheran Church dates back to the time of Martin Luther (1483–1546) in Germany and was the first of the Protestant churches.

Luther rediscovered in God’s word (the Bible) that people don’t get into a right relationship with God by ‘good works’; rather, God’s acceptance of us is entirely a free gift received by faith in Jesus. Martin Luther was a reformer, not a revolutionary. He sought to reform church practices of the day and brought people back to the ‘good news’ of the gospel. The Reformation catch cry is: ‘You are saved by grace, through faith.’ Luther is respected in the church for all he did to bring the gospel to people. Luther’s writings and hymns are still used in the Lutheran church today … but it is not Luther who is worshipped, rather God who has created all things.

Most Lutheran churches celebrate Reformation Day to remind us of the truth that it is all God’s work, not our own efforts, for our salvation. Luther knew this and wanted everyone to understand this freedom that we have in Christ.

Lutheran Tract Mission has produced several resources to help you commemorate the Reformation, which occurred over 500 years ago. Some churches also like to celebrate it with a lunch – the Longest Lutheran Lunch, which is a wonderful way to invite the community, family and friends. Explore the LTM website at www.ltm.org.au and search for ‘Lutheranism’ to find these resources.

‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast’ (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Anne Hansen is Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer.