The Catholic Church was “the only show in town”, and Luther had no thought that he would ever be anything but Catholic. But the providence of God led him to visit Rome. The journey was made on foot . . .

During this time, Martin’s perception of God was changing from torturous thoughts of a stern judge and a cruel tyrant to His true identity as a kind heavenly Father and a Savior who forgives and cleanses. The fear he had held toward God was changing from terror to a reverent fear; a fear of offending One so kind and mighty, so powerful yet tender and loving toward His creatures.

He was entranced as he read the words of life and truth for himself, and he would pause from time to time to whisper an exclamation: “Oh…that God would give me such a book for myself!”

Men who cherished faith in Christ as the only mediator between God and man, and honored the Bible as the only rule for living were branded as heretics. The purity of their faith is a sacred legacy to the world.

To most people, the practical aspects of how to live life, as they are laid out for us simply and plainly in Scripture, are deemed foolish, even impractical.

If I am truly surrendered to my Savior—as in unconditional surrender—then I will take a stand (there’s that warfare word again) against those things in myself that must be put to death.