As I write (October 31, 2017), it is the 500th
anniversary (October 31, 1517) of Martin Luther nailing his Ninety-five Theses
to the door of All Saint’s Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Simply put, Luther did
this because he took issue with the selling of indulgences. An indulgence would
allow someone to reduce or eliminate the punishment one would have to undergo
as a result of sin.
According to history, Luther’s struggle really began to come
to light in 1513. While preparing for some lectures he read Psalm 22:1, the
very verse Jesus quotes from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?” According to Luther, this is exactly how he felt. Two years later Luther
would read Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith.” This would begin the
spiritual journey that led to the posting of his Theses. The truth be told,
Luther apparently had no desire to split the Catholic Church, just to reform
it.
While Luther may have simply been trying to get the
attention of his leaders, his message spread like wild fire. Other leaders got
hold of what Luther had written and in short order it spread to all of Germany,
and ultimately to all of Europe. The rest of Luther’s life was spent defending
himself and his teachings. Nonetheless, God used what Luther wrote to bring
about a reformation in the church and a rediscovery of a gospel of grace.
In reviewing this history, there are several things that
have stood out to me.
First of all, neither Luther or any of the other reformers
were perfect, not even close. Most of these men would not have been qualified
to lead our churches or serve as our deacons. Most of them were abrasive and
some were downright mean and hateful. Luther himself seemed to have a big issue
with those of Jewish decent and certainly with anyone who would oppose him. He
often said mean and hateful things about both groups. However, God used him
anyway. Like many of the biblical characters who had major flaws, God used
these men to bring about His desired outcome.
We must remember that while we are not perfect, we can be
available. Certainly, we do not have a license to sin, but we must also know
that our sin does not disqualify. We should be a people that is repentant and
available. We never know what God might do with us, in spite of our failings.
Second, we never know how God might use us. Luther was a man
wrestling with his own faith and bordering on depression at times. As he was
“working out his own salvation,” he called for change in the church, mainly the
cessation of the selling of indulgences. I am sure he never imagined the
outcome of his actions. We, too, never know what God is going to do. We must
always be alert and prepared for what God might bring about.
Finally, we must remember that “God is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Luther was living in a deep, dark
place. He sought God in his hour of desperation and God made Himself clear to
Luther. If we find ourselves in a similar dark and hopeless place, or even if
we simply hunger for God, we must now that He will reveal Himself to us, if we
will honestly seek Him. Do not turn away from God. Come to Him openly and
honestly and see what He might do.
As we go about the fun of gathering and eating Halloween
candy, let us not forget that something of great significance happened on this
day. Out of a place of desperation, hopelessness and seeking, the Reformation
was born. Remove this series of events from history and likely none of us are
in the place that we are today.
Honored to be your pastor,
Darrell
No comments:
Post a Comment