Most people think of October 31st as Halloween—but it’s also Reformation Day, a cornerstone of Christian history that forever changed how believers understand salvation. Rooted in Romans 5:1–2, this devotional reminds us that faith—not works—justifies us before God. Martin Luther’s courage to challenge corruption in the church reignited the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and his bold stand still calls us to live out the Gospel with conviction today.

Highlights

Reformation Day commemorates October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door.
Luther’s actions reclaimed the biblical truth that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works or wealth.
His translation of the Bible into German gave ordinary people access to God’s Word for the first time.
Today, over 700 languages have Scripture translations—a legacy of the Reformation’s impact.
Believers are called to guard against modern distortions of the Gospel, like prosperity or works-based teachings.
Living out Reformation truths means boldly proclaiming salvation through Christ alone and standing firm in sound doctrine.

Join the Conversation

How can you live out the truths of the Reformation in your daily faith walk? Share your reflections and gratitude for the freedom we have in Christ. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ReformationFaith #GraceAlone #FaithInChrist to join the conversation.

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Full Transcript Below:

Living Out Reformation Day Every Day

By: Laura Bailey

Bible Reading:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” - Romans 5:1-2 NIV

For most people, the only holiday associated with October 31st is Halloween. But, did you know that All Hallows Eve isn’t the only thing celebrated on the last day of October?

Reformation Day is a day commemorating the start of the Protestant Reformation, which was sparked by Martin Luther's act of nailing his 95 Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517. For believers then, and today, this act was a turning point in Christianity; it was the "greatest moves of God's Spirit since the days of the Apostles," as Ligonier Ministries points out.

If this holiday is so influential to the protestant faith, why is it often overlooked on the calendar? Specifically, for today’s believers, what does it look like to live out the principles of the Reformation in our everyday lives?

History of the Reformation

On October 31, 1517, a German Monk, Martin Luther, acted out of frustration and grief over the current situation of the Roman Catholic Church. Luther questioned the extravagant spending of church leaders and their ongoing abuse of power– specifically, withholding access to the Bible from the common man. Luther was also profoundly disturbed by the practice of selling indulgences, a form of forgiveness sold by the church for past, present, and future sins.

Luther wrote the 95 Theses to ignite a debate among church leaders and encourage congregants to examine church practices in light of Scripture. After nailing these theses to the church door, it was evident that the church needed more than a revitalization; it required a reformation!

Why Was a Reformation Needed?

The church during Luther’s time was grossly misrepresenting and distorting Scripture, specifically the doctrine of Justification. The Bible clearly presents salvation by grace alone through faith alone, not because of what we have done, but because of Christ’s work on the cross on our behalf; we are justified (Romans 5:1). However, before the Reformation, many popes, bishops, and priests preached that personal merit and financial contributions secure one's Salvation. The church replaced a faith-based model for salvation with a works-based model, specifically the idea that one could “buy their way into heaven.” Luther spread the message that man doesn’t hold the power to save souls; salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, through the atoning work of Christ, initiated by God.

During Luther’s time, Bibles were scarce, and many churchgoers lacked access to the Scriptures, making it easier for church leaders to distort and twist God’s Word for their own personal benefit. However, with Luther's help, the Bible was translated into German, putting the Scriptures in the hands of believers for the first time. Today, the Bible is translated into over 704 languages!

How Can We Live Out the Truth of the Reformation Today?

First, we can praise the Lord and express gratitude for Martin Luther’s boldness in ensuring that the Truth of the Gospel was presented and preserved for future generations. When we open our Bibles, we humbly acknowledge the luxury of personal access to God’s Word. We become extra diligent in fighting the ways the Gospel is perverted for personal gain in today’s society. When we hear preachers share the message that the Lord will bless them financially (prosperity Gospel) or that they can secure entry to Heaven by being a “good person” (works-based Gospel), we stand up and stand firm on the doctrine of Justification.

The Reformation should be remembered and honored like any other significant historical event, primarily so that we can prevent history from repeating itself. I think about the principles Luther spoke out against and his passion for eradicating all misconceptions of the Gospel message. Let’s be encouraged not only on October 31st, but year-round, to be willing to boldly proclaim that the Gospel is for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13).

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Take a moment today to reflect on the benefits we experience because of Luther’s willingness to stand up to corrupt leaders, making the Gospel message accessible to all people. Pray that we, like Luther, would protect the Gospel message for generations.

Further Reading:
The Facts of Reformation Day

Romans 5

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Ep. 149 - Q and A