Saturday, October 31, 2015
John 8:31-36 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
THE TRUTH THAT SETS SINNERS FREE
We began our devotions this Reformation week by calling attention to Dr. Martin Luther's three hard-hitting essays in the year 1520 -- essays he refused to recant while standing before the Emperor and papal representatives at the Diet of Worms in 1521.
One of those essays was "On Christian Liberty." In it Luther defended the core Bible truth that justification before God--salvation--is by faith, not works. He showed that the teaching of salvation by works enslaves while salvation by faith in Christ alone FREES a person to live for God.
In this writing we find Luther's paradoxical but spiritually insightful remark: "A Christian man is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none; a Christian man is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all."
Thanks be to God that Luther did not recant this or any of the rest of his many Bible-based writings. Had he done so, not only his life story but also yours and mine would be significantly different. We would most likely not be Lutheran Christians enjoying "the gospel of the truth that sets us free," but instead would be captives of and to work-righteousness, in bondage and slavery to the law.
Lord Jesus, our great Liberator, help us like Luther to stand firm in the precious truth that "if you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"--free to serve God now by faith, and by His grace and mercy in Christ to live with Him forever in heaven.
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son And bring to naught all He has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known, For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we May sing Your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth, Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life.
(Lutheran Service Book, 655)
