Celebrating Christ and the Glory of God

Each year, we commemorate and celebrate the Reformation. Amid the “noise” and conflicting theologies that continue to find their way into both the church and our hearts today, I have always found it to be a timely reminder of the foundational truths of the Reformed faith.

Last year, Ps Luwin shared an article on the 5 Solas (in Latin means “alone”) of the Reformation, spread across two editorials. It served as a useful summary of the Reformed theology: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone). (Don’t worry if you missed it – it’s still available on our church’s website!)

The “alone” in each (of the Solas) is vital, and they emphasize the sufficiency of God’s Word and the gracious nature of salvation, received by faith alone, in Christ alone. The last of the five solas, soli Deo gloria, is the natural outworking of the first four. It reminds us that Reformed theology understands all of life in terms of the glory of God. To be Reformed in our thinking is to be God-centered. Salvation is from the Lord from beginning to end, and even our existence is a gift from Him. ⁽¹⁾

I have found the recording of the interview ⁽²⁾ with Ps John Piper to be helpful in framing our cause of celebration, and have made references / directly quoted from its transcription below. May we respond in rejoicing and thanksgiving to the immeasurable grace we have received in Christ, for our salvation and His glory!

Deacon Tan Jiayi

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Ultimate Celebration

First, what am I celebrating ultimately? That is, what’s at the top as the goal of all things when I celebrate the Reformation? The answer is the glory of Jesus Christ.

It is only because of Jesus Christ’s finished work of the cross that we have been justified by faith alone. This is the grace of salvation that we have received, to the glory of Christ!

Foundational Celebration

Second, what am I celebrating most foundationally? So the first one was most ultimately; the second one is most foundationally. That is, what’s at the bottom, as the ground of all things, when I celebrate the Reformation?

The answer is the free and sovereign grace of God… As long as someone insists on ultimate human self-determination, they fail to grasp the depth of our need, and they obscure the greatness of the free and sovereign grace of God, which alone can give life and faith.

Celebrated Achievement

Third, between the glory of Christ at the top and the free and sovereign grace of God at the bottom, what am I celebrating in between as the greatest achievement of God — flowing from grace, leading to glory?

The answer is the decisive achievement of the cross of Christ in providing peace with God for guilty sinners. Four times in the book of Hebrew (7:27; 9:12, 26; 10:10), the author underlines and emphasizes the work of Christ in the forgiveness of sins as “once for all.”

The finished and complete work of Christ — in providing imputed punishment for our sins and imputed perfection for our righteousness — was purchased once for all for us and given to us through faith in Christ alone.

Celebrated Scripture

Fourth, between the glory of Christ at the top and the free and sovereign grace of God at the bottom, what am I celebrating in between as the decisive means of my enjoyment of peace with God that Christ achieved?

The answer is the inspired word of God in Scripture — read and known by every Christian. In Singapore, we are able to freely access the precious word of God, and to daily enjoy personal fellowship with our Father in heaven. May we treasure this immense privilege that we have, which has been kept from (and is so needed for) many around the world!

Celebrated Truth and Experience

And the last question: What great Reformation truth will I be celebrating concerning how I experience the living Christ through his word?

Answer: I will be celebrating the truth that faith — acted directly on Christ through his word, not mediated by priestly sacraments — is the decisive, primary way I enjoy what Christ purchased and what the word makes possible. In Ephesians 3… Paul says, “[I pray] that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16–17). That’s amazing. Christ dwells.

Now, this is a prayer for Christians. This is not a prayer for conversion. He’s praying for saints in Ephesus, that Christ would dwell — that is, consciously, alive, present, at home, experienced. How? Through faith: “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” He’s praying for Christians who already have Christ. This is a prayer for real, authentic experience of the living Christ.

So, when I embrace the crucified and risen Christ as my supreme treasure — alive, present, at home in me — that very faith, that embrace, is the sufficient instrument for the enjoyment of his fellowship. That will be my primary, daily celebration.

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⁽¹⁾ Jonathan Master, (2023). What Is Reformed Theology? Ligonier Ministries. Taken from: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/what-is-reformed-theology

⁽²⁾ John Piper, (October 30, 2023). What Do We Celebrate on Reformation Day? Desiring God. Taken from: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-do-we-celebrate-on-reformation-day