At the end of this month, we will celebrate and remember the Reformation. It is good that we do this every year. In an article a few years back, Todd Miles gave five reasons to remember the Reformation:

1. THE REFORMATION REMINDS US THAT THE CHURCH IS BUILT UPON THE
GOSPEL, NOT VICE-VERSA.
2. THE REFORMATION REMINDS US THAT THE GOSPEL CAN BE LOST.
3. THE REFORMATION REMINDS US THAT CONFUSION OVER THE GOSPEL
WILL ULTIMATELY MANIFEST ITSELF IN ABUSIVE PRACTICES.
4. THE REFORMATION REMINDS US THAT THE GOSPEL IS WORTH
DEFENDING, EVEN AT GREAT COST.
5. THE REFORMATION REMINDS US OF CHRIST’S FAITHFULNESS TO
PRESERVE HIS CHURCH.

The Reformers were raised up during one of the most spiritually bleak periods in the history of the church. Even many who claimed to shepherd the people of God could not perceive the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. Yet in the midst of that dark time, Jesus Christ was faithful to his promise to build his church. Through the Protestant Reformation, the gospel spread across Europe. We live today in an equally dark world, one that shamefully glories in grotesque behaviors that ought to make even the hardest sinner blush. But God is able to make light shine in the darkest places. The Reformation reminds me of this, and encourages me to be faithful. (https://transformedblog.westernseminary.edu/2013/10/31)

So, yes, it is important for us to remember the Reformation that took place in the 1500s, but let’s not forget God’s reforming work that takes place every day in our lives. God “reforms” us as we daily confess our sins and are assured of forgiveness through the merits and righteousness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God “reforms” us as we daily remember our baptismal identity as a child of God by grace through faith. God “reforms” us when we receive the very body and blood of Christ in, with, and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. God “reforms” us as we daily study His Word and pray for reformation of our hearts and minds. God “reforms” us as we intentionally go through a process of examination of our lives through the lens of God’s Holy Word in a process such as our SCOPE sermon series or studying “My Heart, Christ’s Home” in The Gathering on Wednesday nights.

So, I wish you a happy reformation! Not just on October 31st, but every day as you live out the new life you have by grace through faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!  - Lamentations 3:40

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2  - Corinthians 3:18