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Listen while you read: "Who Is On The Lord's Side"1
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It is a well-known fact that Martin Luther, a former priest, is considered to be the leader of the German Reformation. In 1517, he nailed his ninety-five statements to the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. This is an event that many of us think about every October 31st. Several years ago, we were on a Cities of the Reformation Tour, and one of the places where we spent quite some time was the town of Eisleben where Luther was born and died. We learned about all the things that he accomplished, how he was in trouble with the church authorities, and how he hid in Wartburg Castle for a couple of years while he translated both the Old and New Testaments into German, so that the ordinary people could read the words of Scripture. But we were never told about his early years, so I did some research.
He went to Latin school, and when he was 13 years old, he studied law at the University of Erfurt. He was a good student, and he earned both his baccalaureate and master's degrees in the shortest time allowed by university statutes. He did so well at public debates that he earned the nickname "The Philosopher".
But in 1505, his life took a dramatic turn. One day during a violent thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning struck the ground near him. "Help me, St. Anne!" he screamed, "I will become a monk!" He fulfilled his vow, gave away all his possessions, and entered the monastic life. He was very successful as a monk. He plunged into prayer, fasting, and ascetic practices, going without sleep, enduring bone-chilling cold without a blanket, and flagellating himself to the point where he fell down unconscious. He often made the penitential ascent up the steps of a church or cathedral on his knees as he prayed and meditated on Christ's passion. However, during a visit to Rome, he became disillusioned with the teachings of the church, especially the paying of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins.
Against the teachings of his church, Luther took the Scriptures as his sole authority for belief. One Scripture text became his favourite Reformation verse:
Romans 1:17 – For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (NKJV)
In a movie that I saw many years ago, there was a scene where Luther was seen to enter the word "Alone" in his study Bible: "The just shall live by faith alone" — faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Who died on the cross for our sins, was dead and buried, but rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, where He rules with God the Father.
In these days when so many are attempting to make the Scriptures mean whatever they want it to say, we need to have a new Reformation wherein we recapture the Reformers' assertion that Scripture is the only rule of faith and life.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, there are so many people who do not have faith in You. We pray that they would have a spiritual breakthrough like Martin Luther, and that the truth of the gospel will speak to their hearts. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
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About the author:
Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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AMEN.
Amen Joel!
You named it Brother!
Thank you for this devotional.
Thank you for this. May your prayer be answered.
Thank you, Joel. This is very informative and a good challenge.
Thanks for your informative and inspiring devotion today, Joel. And Amen to your prayer! Blessings on your week.
Thank you, Joel, for the information on Martin Luther, and the reminder to “live by faith alone”. Do take care and Blessings.
That’s an “amen” for sure! Thank you. Were you referring to the movie “Luther”? Very moving.
Blessings!
Dear Joel,
Thanks so much for your devotional – the history of Martin Luther.
In Christ ALONE!!!
Thank you for this research. It was informative and thought provoking. Bless you for your inspiration through the Daily Devotional.
(BC)
Many thanks Joel for your interesting and very informative devotional today. Martin Luther is truly a great person to remember and honour for his true devotion to the word. Blessings for these special writings you do.
Thank you ever so much Joel. I hope and yes pray that you are feeling better and will continue to be well as fall and winter come to Canada. Here in NS our days are warm and I see many flocks of birds fly by as they head south.
Thank you for reminding us that scripture is the sole authority for doctrine and life. This is where Luther stood but our church, the POC, has failed to accept the authority on scripture in some areas. Please continue you timely messages
Thank you so much for this timely reminder of our roots and what the costs were for those who lead the way. A second Reformation is something I pray for.
Thanks again for this and all your past contributions.
Thank you again for your good devotional. October 31 is a good time to remember those special stands that Luther took to teach the truth of the Word of God. How we need to encourage one another in taking God’s Word seriously. Blessings.
Hello Joel,
While we can certainly recognize Luther’s important role in the Reformation, it is equally important to recognize his contribution to anti-Semitism that clearly took root in Germany as his writings show.
It is important to recognize that the flaws of our ‘saints’ and ‘heroes’ have influenced the unfolding of history in ways that have brought terrible harm to many.
Good morning Joel,
I enjoyed the information on Martin Luther that you shared in this devotional. What an extraordinary life.
The nugget I took away from this devotional that a person’s spiritual awakening is in God’s hands. Sometimes we get discouraged when we are trying to make a difference by doing what we feel is our part and when we don’t see results, we get discouraged. If I remember that the breakthrough is in God’s hands, I can willing continue to encourage others and God is responsible for the next step. It gives me hope and encouragement that it is important to keep talking about faith, singing about faith, listening about faith, and then God can magnify it, if it is His will.
Thanks for doing the research and sharing it. Blessings.
Thank you, Joel, for this excellent devotion today.
Hi Joel,
Thanks for the great Devotional today. I enjoyed the history about Martin Luther and the Reformation. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings to you.
(Ont)
Well done, Joel. Keep writing!
Having Scandinavian roots growing up in the Lutheran Church has given me a strong foundation for my faith.
AMEN to that, Joel.
Thank you for your message.
Blessings
(ON.)
Joel;
What a blessed LIVING hope we have in the Gospel. I am so thankful that God used men like Martin Luther. He has been used to help us know that repentant faith in the work of Christ at Calvary is what God desires for my salvation. I appreciate your devotionals. Please keep them coming. People need to hear the gospel.