I have always thought of June 25 as a second Reformation Day. It's not halfway to October 31. It's not surrounded by any other holidays (unless, like me, you consider the Nativity of St. John the Baptist a holiday). But, today is special, nonetheless, in the Lutheran Church.

On this day 479 years ago a document was presented to the Roman Catholic church and the Holy Roman Emperor in Augsburg. It contained 28 articles of faith. "Our churches...teach" that in these articles are expressed the truth from Scripture. Likewise, we then condemn the errors taught by the Roman Church (and others).

Chiefly, our churches hold to article four, often referred to the article by which the church stands or falls:

Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.

Triglot English

It is plain to see why the church stands or falls on this article. If you believe that Christ has won all satisfaction for you before God, apart from and despite of any works you have performed, then you are a Christian. If you believe that you have some part in earning God's favor, then you are not. This is plainly taught in Scripture.

And, before you say that faith or belief is a work attributed to you, think again:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Saved by grace granted through faith. This is the gift from God, not from us. The antecedent to "this" in Ephesians 2:8 is "faith"—"this" refers to "faith." Faith is the gift of God that opens our hands and hearts to receive His grace, especially the grace of salvation.

So, I say again, if you believe that God in Christ has done all of the work for your salvation, then you are Christian. If you believe that you have a part in the work for your salvation, then you are not. This is what Article IV teaches: Justification by grace.

So, it is on this day that we, as Lutherans, can celebrate the formation of the Lutheran church. Sure, the seeds of Lutheranism were planted when the 95 Theses were nailed to the church door on October 31, 1517. When the 95 Theses were posted, it kicked off the Reformation (though you could look at other events, not the least of which was the work of John Hus some 100 years earlier), which culminated in the formation of the Lutheran church some 13 years later. That's why June 25 is such an important day in Lutheranism.

I hold strongly to the Augsburg Confession. I hold strongly to the Apology to the Augsburg Confession. I cling to the faith taught in the Book of Concord, a true and right exposition of Holy Scripture. God help me, I wish to cling to it forever.

I have written a sermon for this day of observance. You can read it here.

O Lord, look down from heaven, behold
And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy Fold,
Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand;
Dark times have us o'ertaken.

With fraud which they themselves invent
Thy truth they have confounded;
Their hearts are not with one consent
On Thy pure doctrine grounded.
While they parade with outward show,
They lead the people to and fro,
In error's maze astounded.

May God root out all heresy
And of false teachers rid us
Who proudly say: "Now, where is he
That shall our speech forbid us?
By right or might we shall prevail;
What we determine cannot fail;
We own no lord and master."

Therefore saith God, "I must arise,
The poor My help are needing;
To Me ascend My people's cries,
And I have heard their pleading.
For them My saving Word shall fight
And fearlessly and sharply smite,
The poor with might defending."

As silver tried by fire is pure
From all adulteration,
So through God's Word shall men endure
Each trial and temptation.
Its light beams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross,
It shines through every nation.

Thy truth defend, O God, and stay
This evil generation;
And from the error of their way
Keep Thine own congregation.
The wicked everywhere abound
And would Thy little flock confound;
But Thou art our Salvation.

O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold
TLH 260
Martin Luther