PROTESTant REFORMation

We're in a season of PROTEST as a nation. Protest against economic mishandling. Protest against war. Protest against poverty. Protest against harmful emissions polluting atmospheres. Protest against other political parties. Protest against BCS ratings. Protest.

Protest seeks reform. We protest for a reason. We want a different Way, a better Tomorrow, another Shot. Protest seeks reform.

We celebrate a big Protest this weekend in my particular Christian tribe. It's the celebration of the PROTESTant REFORMation, the day near the day when Martin Luther nailed 95 theses of debate against an institutional church who had lost its center.

Martin Luther claimed in his theses that the Church's center ought always, and forever, be Jesus. During his time, the Church's center was something other than Jesus. It was building programs mitigated by a deal making institution. The deal was salvation, the cost was whatever you could afford. Martin thought otherwise.

He stood up for THE center. He sought reform back to Jesus. He wanted the church to reclaim its foundation. Granted, he wasn't always a saint. His mouth got him into trouble. His letters can be appalling at times, especially his bigotry against the Jews. But, in the midst of the mire, he was the First Trumpet playing the tune of Jesus.

Have things changed for our church in the last 500 years? Yes and no.

No--because I see the church still confused about its center. Are we about the Bible or the Gospel? Are we about Justice or social issues? Are we about making deals or stewarding God's grace? The center is unbalanced.

Yes--because tonight with 30 jr. high students, I asked them to tell me the church's central message. Their answers?

"God saves."
"God loves you."
"Jesus died for you."

The church has changed its message. It isn't one of fear, of earning God's favor, of forever making God happy. It's now one of living God's favor already granted to you through the costly death of Jesus.

BUT, we can't lose this center. We can't veer off somewhere else. Our center is Jesus. Our beginning is Jesus. Our destination is Jesus. Jesus is the REFORMation that God is waging in PROTEST to our sin. God is REFORMing us into Jesus.

Go God, go!