Saturday, October 27, 2018
Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him."
ALL GLORY TO GOD
As Lutherans we don't worship Martin Luther or any other man. We Lutherans have not exchanged a Catholic pope for a Lutheran pope. To worship anyone or anything other than the Triune God is contrary to God's will (Revelation 19:10). Rather than directing people to himself, we have heard Luther try to downplay his role in the Reformation. Luther--and we--have recognized that it was the hand of God directing the events of the Reformation. We worship only the one true Triune God, for God is our Creator and Redeemer. When man fell into sin, God our Father had mercy on us, His creation, and sent His only begotten Son into the world to suffer and die to pay for sin. On account of His Son, Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness of all sins for all people.
Through Martin Luther the Lord cleared away the teaching of work righteousness that had obscured the gospel. In the place of man's works, God redirected sinners to their Savior. Luther translated the Bible into the common language of the people so that they could read God's promises and God’s forgiveness for themselves rather than depend on their priests to tell them the truth. This Reformation Day--and every day--we worship and give glory to God for what He has accomplished for all people, sending His Son to give His body and shed His blood that we poor sinners might have everlasting life. We praise God that through the Reformation He has revealed His saving gospel once again to the salvation of sinners "of every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (Revelation 14:6f). To God alone be the glory, forever and ever.
-- From the "Lutheran Spokesman"
