Grace and peace to you from our Father, our Lord, and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Every year, on Reformation Day, I’m reminded of the courageous stand of Martin Luther—“the Gospel, the Word of God.” That single declaration still reverberates in my heart today, urging me to ask: What does the Gospel truly mean for us in the 21st‑century world that constantly tries to hide it?

The Word Is Meant to Be Free

Throughout history the Word of God has been **covered, concealed, and compartmentalized.** In Luther’s day the Scriptures lived in Latin, locked behind academic titles, and only a privileged few could even glance at them. The very act of translating the Lord’s Prayer into English earned a man the label of *heretic*—the penalty: death.

That same pattern persists today. Our culture loves to:

Create God in our own image instead of remembering we’re made in His.

Set up exclusive systems that decide who’s “in” and who’s “out.”

Elevate legalism—adding endless rules, rituals, and “good works” as if they could earn us God’s favor.

The Gospel, however, is a freeing Word. It reveals that without Christ, there is nothing of us that belongs to God—no righteousness, no merit, no sufficient prayer, no amount of Bible study, no charitable donation that can secure salvation. Our redemption comes **solely** from Him and **only** as revealed in His Word.

The Historical Battle: From Rome to Reformation

When the Word finally began to pour out of the Latin script into the vernacular, the world reacted with fear. Those who dared to translate Scripture were called traitors; the Romans, the Church hierarchy, and the “learned” all tried to keep the Gospel hidden behind legalistic “works” and “rites.”

Jesus Himself confronted that same system. He declared that the people were slaves, not free children of Abraham. He exposed the hidden bondage of the religious elite, showing that true mercy is not earned but given by a gracious God.

Luther’s bold proclamation—the Gospel alone—shook those structures. The Reformation was less about new doctrines and more about re‑releasing the Word so every soul could hear it plainly, in their own language, without a gatekeeper.

My Own “Krowe” Moment

I want to share a personal story because the Gospel isn’t just ancient history; it’s a living, breathing reality that has shaped my life.

During my college years I lived a rebellious lifestyle—long hair, five earrings, smoking, drinking—earning the nickname “Krowe.” I thought I was good enough: loyal, honest, helpful, “The Stuart Smalley” performed by Al Franken in an old SNL sketch. One day, driven by a quiet yearning to return to the Christian faith, I walked toward the communion chapel. A classmate stopped me and said, “What are you doing here, Krowe? You don’t believe any of that.” That accusation struck a chord of doubt. I walked away, convinced perhaps it wasn't true and I didn't need Jesus.

But God kept calling me back. The lie that “I must earn my way into God’s favor” kept echoing in my mind. It’s the same lie the world whispered to Luther’s contemporaries and still whispers to us today. Yet the Gospel — the truth that Christ alone saves — refused to let me go.

When I finally surrendered that truth, He restored and transformed me. It wasn’t my own effort; it was His grace that made my life right. I realized that “being good” isn’t the measure of God’s love; my darkness without Him is. The Gospel broke down the walls I built, tore off the masks I wore, and poured out His glorious love.

What the Gospel Means for Us Today

1. Salvation is a Gift, Not a Goal.

No amount of rituals, works, or self‑improvement can earn God’s mercy. Christ’s finished work on the cross is the sole source of our forgiveness.

2. The Word Must Be Accessible.

Just as Luther fought to bring Scripture into the hands of ordinary people, we must champion biblical literacy today—translating, teaching, and sharing the Word in ways that meet people where they are.

3. We’re All Beggars at God’s Table.

We hunger for the Bread of Life, the Wine of the Spirit, and the newness of life only He can give. When we come to His table, He feeds us, heals us, and sends us out to share that same love.

4. Grace Over Legalism.

The world prefers to bind us with “rules” and “systems.” The Gospel frees us from those chains, inviting us into a relationship rooted in love, not in performance.

5. Transformation Is Ongoing.

The Spirit continues to work within us, pulling us away from lies, drawing us closer to Christ, and shaping us into His likeness. Every day is a new opportunity to experience that “newness of life” He promises.

A Call to Live the Reformation Spirit

Reformation Day isn’t just a historical commemoration; it’s a call to action. Let us:

Raise the Word—declare it openly, love it fiercely, and defend its freedom against any attempts to hide or dilute it.

Live the Gospel—walk in the freedom Christ gives, reflecting His love in every relationship, every conversation, every act of service.

Invite Others—share the same promise that changed my life with those who are still searching, still bound by the lies of “good enough.”

May the peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds. May we keep our eyes fixed on the One who, through His Word, has broken every bond, torn off every mask, and given us eternal life.

Grace, hope, and the ever‑present love of Christ be with you.

Amen.