95 Days with the 95 Theses (Day 15)

The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is being celebrated this year, 2017.  Why? Because historians acknowledge and date the beginning of the Reformation to October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. 

15. This fear and horror - to say nothing of other things - are sufficient in themselves to produce the punishment of Purgatory, because they approximate to the horror of despair.   

Here, Luther is arguing that the uncertainty at the time of death can be a place of true fear that may lead one to find their hope only in Christ and the promise of baptism.  He will go on to argue that this is why the concept of purgatory is unnecessary.

Lord Jesus, keep us confident that our sin is washed away through our baptism, our repentance, our faith, and your amazing mercy and grace. Amen.