Saturday, October 14, 2006
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
SOLA SCRIPTURA -- SO USE IT
Before the Reformation people were taught that their true teacher was the Church, that only the Church could be sure of the meaning of Scripture. Any study of the Bible was reserved for monk or scholar and it showed! The Bible was misused, abused, and most of all unused.
People were taught that Jesus was more harsh judge than anything, that the way to God was through their own works, or worse, that the forgiveness of sins could be purchased from traveling vendors.
So it was that Martin Luther, out of deep concern for the souls of German-speaking people, went into his study at the castle Wartburg and began translating the Scriptures, beginning with the New Testament.
Since there were many who could not read, Luther was careful to translate Scripture not into essays but into spoken German. More than once he went to farmer or tradesman to get just the right word. The words of Scripture are the very Word of God and all who read and hear need to understand, need to learn to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Further, through His word God equips each of His people to live and walk as His children.
Luther translated the Bible and promoted education for all so that Christians could read the Word of God for themselves and could then compare with God's Word what they heard from the pulpit or in the marketplace -- or read in books or newspapers. To him, Sola Scriptura was not a catchphrase but a principle that shaped his life and actions.
How about us? How about you? We have the Bible in our hands. What a blessing from God our Savior! Let us use it! Daily keeping our "appointment with God"! Making Sunday's sermon a time for serious concentration. Listening with rapt attention to our Father's voice. Resting our heart's confidence on Christ our Lord and His redeeming work. Faithfully living out the Word the Holy Spirit places on our hearts.
