The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (Romans 3:22–25) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Ask your non-Lutheran Christian friends what they would identify as the core of their faith. I'm confident most would answer, "Jesus," and God be praised for that! If you were to ask them to describe how someone might connect to Jesus, the answers may sound something like this: "You have to make a decision for Jesus," or "You need to invite Jesus into your heart and make Him Lord of your life."  

That is confused language and distorts the beautiful Gospel proclaimed so clearly in the Word of God. "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (Romans 3:28). The faith that justifies doesn't come by way of our heart-felt decision but as a gift. God diagnoses the condition of every human heart. "For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:22b-23). In another place, Paul describes our condition apart from Christ this way: "When we were dead in our trespasses, (God the Father) made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:4). 

We have been gifted with a rescue from our death with the news that we "are justified by grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). There it is! Your redemption and rescue from sin is in Christ Jesus alone! His death alone redeems you from the death penalty that your sin would merit. His resurrection guarantees your own resurrection of the Last Day and eternal life right now!  Faith, grace, gift, redemption are words that define our faith and describe how we are connected to Jesus. We give thanks and praise to God for His saving work! It's all from and in Him. No boasting our part. Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone!! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for Reformation Day)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch