Reformation Sunday

Reformation Sunday

Posted by Chad Langdon on Sunday, October 29, 2017

Habakkuk 2:1-4; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36

NLT

[Habakkuk 2]
(1) I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint. (2) Then the LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. (3) This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (4) “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

[Romans 3]
(19) Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. (20) For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (21) But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (22) We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (23) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (24) Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. (25) For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, (26) for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. (27) Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. (28) So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

[John 8]
(31) Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (32) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (33) “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” (34) Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. (35) A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

NRSV

[Habakkuk 2]
(1) I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. (2) Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. (3) For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. (4) Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.

[Romans 3]
(19) Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. (20) For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. (21) But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, (22) the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, (23) since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; (24) they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (25) whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; (26) it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. (27) Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. (28) For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.

[John 8]
(31) Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (33) They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free’?” (34) Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (35) The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. (36) So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.