Monday, October 25, 2010
John 8:31-32 Jesus said, "If you continue in my words, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
CONTINUE IN MY WORD
Young Martin Luther was a man desperate to be right with God, yet nothing he did as a monk gave him any assurance of this. Not long hours in prayer. Not long days in fasting. Not anything his church told him to do. But finally he found the answer his heart so badly needed -- in Christ alone. Through His doing and dying we are made right with God. God gives right-standing with Himself through faith in His Son, our Savior.
And where did Luther find this great good news? Only one place, the Bible. And when Luther questioned certain teachings and practices that had made their way into the church of his day, to what did he appeal? God's Word alone, the Bible. While others relied on human wisdom and authority, on tradition and logic, Martin Luther maintained that in matters of faith and Christian living there is only one sure guide -- God's Word, the Bible.
God's Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 283)
