By the study of His Word, we gain a vision of what God would have us to become. Beloved, do not become discouraged over the “great distance” between that vision and your current reality. Instead, be thankful that you have seen it! Focus on Jesus and allow His Spirit to enact character transformation.
Read MoreDeep awe and heartfelt acknowledgement of the inexhaustible mine of riches that is the Word of God, motivated Luther to admonish his listeners to stay in the Word and continue learning of the character of our infinitely loving God.
Read MoreA veritable host of tracts circulated throughout Germany, proclaiming the gospel and rebuking the errors of the times. This tangible proof that Luther was still alive and active thrilled those whose eyes had been opened to God’s Word. On the other hand, it astonished and confounded his enemies who had earlier celebrated that surely he had been silenced for good.
Read MoreAll people [of Germany] were forbidden to help, harbor, give food or drink, or even speak kindly to or about Martin Luther, either publicly or privately. Any who gave support were to be imprisoned and their property confiscated. His writings were to be destroyed.
Read MoreLuther’s tone had been humble and most respectful. His countenance radiated peace and joy—a powerful illustration of the superiority of a pure faith that overcomes the world.
Read More“What I have just said plainly shows, I hope, that I have carefully weighed and considered the dangers to which I expose myself; but far from being dismayed, I rejoice to see that the gospel is now, as in former times, a cause of trouble and dissension. This is the character, this is the destiny, of the Word of God.” Martin Luther
Read MoreLuther was not claiming to be faultless himself, but even the third class of books he could not revoke, for it would only embolden those named therein to increase the cruelty with which they are crushing* God’s true followers.
Read MoreIn God’s divine providence, He had permitted Martin to realize his peril in order that he would not trust in his own strength. In his utter helplessness, he determined to hold fast to Jesus and, like Jacob at the Jordan, received a blessing: peace returned to him and he gave thanks for being permitted to uplift God’s Word before rulers.
Read MoreAn imperial officer arose and pointed to a collection of Luther’s books. In a thundering voice, he demanded two answers from Luther: “Are these your writings?” and “Will you retract the opinions put forth in them?”
Read MoreEven the imperial messenger transporting Luther had grown to respect and appreciate him. He feared for Luther’s safety and asked him if he still wished to go forward. Luther’s answer: “Although interdicted in every city, I shall go on.”
Read MoreGod has given us amazing minds. Indeed, this gift is a great treasure! But we must often be reminded that our finite minds cannot be compared with the mind of God, who moves in very unexpected ways! He can use even the words of unbelievers prophetically, as demonstrated by the quote of Caiaphas.
Read MoreOh, how often we confer with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:16) when we already know through God’s Word and His Spirit what we ought to be doing. Recognition of the authority of our Lord leads to spiritual growth in revelation of knowledge and understanding. The reverse is also true. Do not allow your spiritual life to shrivel away!
Read MoreLike Cain, men continue to substitute their own ideas of how to worship God in the place of His clear instructions. And, like Abel, those who would rather live in obedience to God become the objects of disdain in the world.
Read MoreLuther’s challenge reverberated throughout Christendom. Many other devotees of the Roman faith had also lamented the corruptions they saw in the church. They read the 95 theses with joy and felt that the Lord had graciously set His hand to stem the tide of iniquity issuing from Rome.
Read MoreLuther had purposed in the early days of his walk with the Lord to continue in learning and faithfully sharing and caring for the sheep as their shepherd. Even though it was not his intention to place himself in the midst of a battle, his proclamations of Biblical truth repeatedly conflicted with the traditions of the church.
Read MoreHe saw the danger of exalting human theories above God’s Word. After his return to Wittenberg, Luther received the Doctor of Divinity degree. He devoted himself, as never before, to the beloved Scriptures. He took a vow to preach with fidelity the truth of God’s Word. He knew he was called to feed the flock of God—and they were hungering for truth.
Read MoreThe process of disentanglement from the fallen world can be a complex, delicate operation. Only the loving surgical hand of the Great Physician can accomplish it. Martin Luther encountered a Bible in the university library and correctly recognized the greatness of God. But that was just the beginning of his disentanglement.
Read MoreMartin found a Bible chained to the convent wall and spent every spare moment there. His rigorous works in the monastic life, augmented by fasting, scourging, and vigils brought him no sense of the desired pardon and peace. At the verge of total despair, God sent a friend who counseled him to cease looking to himself and look instead to Jesus.
Read MoreTo the right were the Pharisees and to the left were the Sadducees. From there, things became political as both groups sought to win followers. By the end of the earthly ministry of Jesus, they had united over a common enemy: JESUS!
Read MoreCorruption among the religious leaders who had rejected Jesus resulted in a voluntary blindness and deafness to any presentation of God’s Truth, which always—by contrast—points out error. They simply did not want to hear it. This pattern is often repeated in the Scriptures and continues still.
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