Friday, October 20, 2017
Romans 3:28 ... Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
Our Lord through Paul warns that even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what Christ sent the Apostle to preach, let him be accursed. If anyone tries to cast doubt or change ever so slightly our Lord's Word, let him be accursed! To be accursed is to be subject to God's wrath, the end of which is eternal death forever apart from God’s grace! Luther himself had been caught up in this spiritual death trap, in the bitter slavery and futility of law-keeping that the Roman Catholic Church taught. They had long abandoned the Word of God in favor of deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons. Rather than salvation by God's grace through Jesus, they taught that salvation could be and must be earned by one's own works. If a person kept the man-made teachings of the Roman Church, inflicted upon them by the papacy, they could be saved.
By God's grace Luther was brought to faith by the Spirit through the Gospel. When he read, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28) his eyes were opened to the truth! Luther understood that salvation is by grace alone! He became a faithful defender of God's infallible Word and the Christian faith. He spoke out against the selling of indulgences, the Pope, and any other church official who thought they had power over what happens to a person's soul. Luther believed and taught that anyone could read the Bible and learn of God's mercy and grace in Jesus. He knew it didn't take a special gift or ability as the church had claimed, but that the Spirit worked through the simple act of hearing or reading the Gospel to create and sustain faith! Through Luther's study of God's Word he was led by the Spirit to reject the veneration of saints, fasting, and everything the papacy taught contrary to the Scriptures! Through his studies he grew in faith and understanding, in strength and courage! By the Spirit's blessing so can we! It's a rather simple and painless matter-- simply read God's Word, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). May the Spirit enable us to faithfully read and hear the Word!
