Reformation (Observed) October 26, 2025 John 8:31-36   What is truth?   Truth is understood as the opposite of what is false. However, in today's world, it is common for people to develop their own ideas of what is true and what is false.    We refer to this perspective as subjective truth because the individual acts as the judge of what is right and wrong.   The concept of subjective truth becomes clear when a child is confused about their sexuality, questioning whether they are a boy or a girl.    This discussion is settled not only by science, which has determined that there are only two sexes — male and female — but also by the Word of God, as we learn how our heavenly Father created Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.   When considering the conception of life, is it simply a clump of cells or a human being growing and developing in the mother’s womb?   While science declares that there is truly human life from the moment of conception, scripture also affirms this truth: God creates life through the union of a man and a woman.   Interestingly, when we hear the word science, we think of chemistry sets and microscopes, but the origin of the word “science” comes from the Latin word “Scientia,” meaning knowledge or to know.   To know or to learn what?   What is to be true.   The great endeavor for truth can be heard in the words of Pontius Pilate as Jesus stood before him that first Good Friday.   Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”   There’s a lot packed into these verses.   First, Jesus says that the purpose He came into this world and took on human flesh — your flesh — was to bear witness to the truth. In other words, to confirm what is true. And for this reason, Jesus says that everyone who is in the truth listens to His voice.    You should hear in the back of your mind these words of Jesus, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)   Jesus is the truth, and He reveals through His voice the knowledge and wisdom that now leads you to eternal life.   So, for this reason, to be a disciple, a student of Jesus, begins with hearing His Word.    And we call this objective truth, because His Word does not change. Jesus does not change, as we learn from the book of Hebrews, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)   Now, as it’s Reformation Day, when you really think about it, on the surface, the Reformation started because the Roman Catholic Church took a subjective approach to interpreting Jesus’ words to serve its needs. The Pope became the only interpreter of Holy Scripture, thus undermining how Scripture interprets Scripture, how Scripture interprets itself, and not only establishes divine truth but also reveals it to you.    This was the reason Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Luther didn’t do this to create a new church; he did it because he wanted the church to return to the objective and unchanging divine truth of Jesus Christ, the One who went to the cross and died to set you free from sin, death, and the pesky devil.   Now, take a moment to reflect with me on the word “Reformation.”   At the heart of “Reformation” is the word “Form” or “Formation.”   But, to reform is not to look forward in this instance, but to look back. The “re” in reformation means to return to the original form or substance. One word that comes to mind in the Church is “redeem,” which means to buy back.   The use of “form” for reform should indicate a past similarity or state once experienced. Therefore, the goal of the Reformation is to return or restore the Church to its original resemblance or condition.    The point of the Reformation is to point and lead the C