Martin Luther
Martin Luther was the humble monk whose 95 points were instrumental in reforming the Church of Christ. Neither the Catholic Church of our day nor the Protestant denominations that were spawned from the Reformation look at all as the Church did in Luther's day, so the entirety of Christianity was transformed by his bold proclamation of truth.
The story is told regarding Luther that at one point, when he was fleeing persecution by those who did not understand his desire to see the Church restored to its original simplicity of faith in Christ alone (for it was a day of buying indulgences for the living, as well as of paying for the redemption of souls that were lost eternally) that a knock came to the door of the house where Luther was staying.
Martin Luther was the humble monk whose 95 points were instrumental in reforming the Church of Christ. Neither the Catholic Church of our day nor the Protestant denominations that were spawned from the Reformation look at all as the Church did in Luther's day, so the entirety of Christianity was transformed by his bold proclamation of truth.
The story is told regarding Luther that at one point, when he was fleeing persecution by those who did not understand his desire to see the Church restored to its original simplicity of faith in Christ alone (for it was a day of buying indulgences for the living, as well as of paying for the redemption of souls that were lost eternally) that a knock came to the door of the house where Luther was staying.
He had already
retired to his bed chamber when he heard a noise downstairs. He
cautiously crept down the steps, expecting to find a contingent of armed
men who had come to carry him to trial for his 'crime' of affirming
that "by faith you are saved." Ephesians 2:8
Instead, Luther found the devil, sitting by the fireplace. Rather than send men to do his bidding, the evil one had come himself to torment the reformer.
When he saw the evil one, glowering at him beside the fire that so reflected his eternal destiny, Martin Luther is purported to have said, "Oh, it's only you."
At which point, he went back to bed.
When the enemy of your soul pounds on the door of your life or barges into your circumstances, employ the words of Luther. The same God he trusted by faith to save his soul and to guard his life is the Christ who saves and guards and guides you through the challenges and trials you face.
Jesus has not changed. "He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8, and He is still answering the door when the devil knocks, and He is still turning him away from His people.
Instead, Luther found the devil, sitting by the fireplace. Rather than send men to do his bidding, the evil one had come himself to torment the reformer.
When he saw the evil one, glowering at him beside the fire that so reflected his eternal destiny, Martin Luther is purported to have said, "Oh, it's only you."
At which point, he went back to bed.
When the enemy of your soul pounds on the door of your life or barges into your circumstances, employ the words of Luther. The same God he trusted by faith to save his soul and to guard his life is the Christ who saves and guards and guides you through the challenges and trials you face.
Jesus has not changed. "He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8, and He is still answering the door when the devil knocks, and He is still turning him away from His people.
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