Convinced by the Scriptures: A Look at Luther (vol. I)

"Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
-Luther at the Diet of Worms, refusing to recant true Christian belief

I'm almost certain that most people have at one time in their education read Luther's speech at Worms. It is a magnificent demonstration of a Christian showing backbone in a world that had lost it (much like the world of today). I think this speech, at least the conclusion of it, should be memorized by every Christian, taught to our children, and the fire within it, the Fire within the man, should spread throughout our ministries. O! That the fire of God would fill His people today as it filled the heart of Martin Luther!

Personally, I have never read any writer apart from the writers of Scripture itself that so greatly reflected the passion for the Truth and the desire for the glory of God as Martin Luther. Sadly, though, it is rare that I mention Luther and do not have to spend the following ten minutes explaining that I'm not talking about Martin Luther King. Thus, I'm writing this in order to share with you a taste of the writings of this man I hold in such high regard; it is my desire that you will read this and see in it what I see: a heart that rejoices in making much of its Savior! And, hopefully, it will inspire you to read more of Luther's works and pray for the fire that God placed in him.

First of all, then, let me direct you to a short, but excellent biography of Luther by one of my contemporary heroes, John Piper. Please read it, or listen to the audio before you continue on in this note:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1470_Martin_Luther_Lessons_from_His_Life_and_Labor/


"In my sin, my death, I must take leave of all created things. No, sun, moon, stars, all creatures, physicians, emperors, kings, wise men and potentates cannot help me. When I die I shall see nothing but black darkness, and yet that light, 'To you is born this day the Savior' [Lk. 2:11], remains in my eyes and fills all heaven and earth. The Savior will help me when all have forsaken me."
-from a Christmas sermon on Luke 2:1-14

"Yet how many Jews do you think there were, though not having faith, were most wise, religious, and virtuous men, and men who strove with might and main to attain to righteousness and truth? Why, he frequently bears them testimony, that they have a zeal for God [Rom. 10:2], that they pursue the righteousness of the law [Rom. 9:31], that they earnestly seek night and day to attain to salvation [Acts 26:7], that they live blamelessly [cf. Phil. 3:6]. Even so they are transgressors of the law, because they are not Jews spiritually, and they stubbornly resist the righteousness of faith. What then remains but that free choice is worst when it is best, and the more it endeavors the worse it becomes?"
- from "Bondage of the Will"

"Where the heart receives the king with a firm faith, it is secure and does not fear sin, death, hell, nor any other evil; for he well knows and in no wise doubts that this king is the Lord of life and death, of sin and grace, of hell and heaven, and that all things are in his hand. For this reason he became our king and came down to us that he might deliver us from these tyrants and rule over us himself alone."
- from Luther's Church Postil

"If you believe in Christ and his advent (coming), it is the highest praise and thanks to God to be holy. If you recognize, love, and magnify his grace and work in you, and cast aside and condemn self and the works of self, then are you a Christian. We say: 'I believe in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints' (from the Apostles' Creed). Do you desire to be a part of the holy Christian church and communion of saints, you must also be holy as she is, yet not of yourself but through Christ alone in whom all are holy."
- from Luther's Church Postil

"36. Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters.

37. Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.

***

92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, 'Peace, peace,' and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14)

93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, 'Cross, cross,' and there is no cross!

94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell.

95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22)."


That's all for now, but I'll be posting more soon. Soli Deo Gloria!