Wednesday, November 1, 2006
John 8:31 "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed."
CONTINUING REFORMATION
Luther was not the first to stand up against corruption and false teaching within the Roman Catholic Church. There were many before him. William Occam (1280-1349), an English theologian, was excommunicated because of his opposition to the teachings of the church. John Wyclif (1320-1384) followed with a strong reform movement that spread over England and into Europe. In 1377 Pope Gregory XI condemned Wyclif, but the English government protected him. Unfortunately, due to the political turmoil in England which followed, Wyclif was named a heretic and his books were burned.
John Hus (1369-1415) began a reformation in Bohemia and as a result he was excommunicated, summoned before the Council of Constance, condemned as a heretic, and burned at the stake. Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) continued the move for reformation in Italy. He taught that people could not be saved by their own works or by indulgences, but only by the grace of God through Christ Jesus, and that good works could only be expected where the heart had been regenerated by faith. In 1497 the papal ban was pronounced on him and an interdict against the city of Florence. The city gathered together and condemned him to death as a heretic.
Nor was Luther the last. Many stood with Luther, men like Bugenhagen, Jonas, and Melanchthon. Others like Chemnitz, Andreae, and Selnecker followed in the steps of Luther and were also used by the LORD to uphold the truth of God's Word.
The reformation continues today. What is the mark of the true church? Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed." May God grant that we continue to remain steadfast in the truth of His Word!
O Lord, look down from heaven, behold And let Thy pity waken:
How few are we within Thy Fold, Thy saints by men forsaken!
True faith seems quenched on every hand,
Men suffer not Thy Word to stand; Dark times have us o'ertaken.
As silver tried by fire is pure From all adulteration,
So through God's Word shall men endure Each trial and temptation.
Its light beams brighter through the cross,
And, purified from human dross, It shines through every nation.
(TLH 260:1, 5)
