Friday, October 13, 2006
Romans 1:17 The just shall live by faith.
SOLA SCRIPTURA -- SOLA FIDE
Despite standing today on truths Luther found only after misguided years, we can, to some extent, understand his do-it-yourself efforts to earn salvation. But why didn't the word of his friend and mentor, Staupitz, or the Scriptures Luther chanted as monk and priest, or the books of the Bible on which he lectured sink in any sooner?
Part of the problem was Luther's sinful self. But another large factor was Luther's church which kept telling him what his flesh was already urging: salvation is a "do-it-yourself" project.
There was something else trapping Luther. Something also taught him by his church. Namely, that Scripture alone was not a sure guide for faith and life but needed to be explained and interpreted by "Mother Church". The decrees of popes and councils, the traditions preserved in liturgies and prayers, the writings of the church fathers, the guidance of philosophers -- these were not only presented as being equal with Scripture, they were promoted as the only way a person could understand what the Bible says.
It would appear that Luther was in a hopeless maze with no way out. But we know that was not so. He had outside help. God Himself came to his rescue, the very Spirit who inspired the word of God and interprets that word for us by leading us to compare Scripture with Scripture. God the Holy Spirit also worked in Luther through His life-giving word.
To remember the Lutheran Reformation rightly is to remember that the same Spirit who worked through the Word to rescue Luther has come to our rescue. Through the message of Christ crucified and risen for us the Spirit of God has worked in our hearts. Like Martin Luther we have been enabled to make the confession of the Apostle Paul in Romans one: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
