Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
SKETCHES IN FAITH: LUTHER AND JUSTIFICATION
The Reformation is intimately tied to the faith and life of one man, Martin Luther. As at other times during the history of the Church, the Lord in His wisdom used one individual to lead untold numbers of sinners into His merciful hands. Consider the examples of Moses, Samuel and Paul.
The remainder of this week's devotions we entitle "Sketches in Faith". In our limited space we offer glimpses of the faith of Dr. Martin Luther. Our goal is not to elevate Luther the man, but to inspire our readers to a greater appreciation for the gifts God has given His Church through Luther.
When we think of Luther we almost automatically think of the doctrine of justification. The doctrine of justification is the blessed proclamation that all sinners have been declared "not guilty" through the sinless life and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. By power of Spirit and word, faith, which grabs hold and benefits from this sacred truth, is worked in the heart of the sinner. Luther's emphasis on justification by faith alone was the nerve center of the entire Reformation. Justification by faith alone animated all of Luther's preaching and teaching. Countless millions have been lifted out of the pit of sin and guilt in the five centuries since God, through Luther, brought this truth once again to the forefront of Christian theology.
For Luther justification by faith alone was not simply something he expounded as a doctor of theology. It was something very precious and personal to him. May this brief sketch help you to re-capture the joy Luther experienced in the blessed truth of justification.
Dear Christian, one and all, rejoice
With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
How His right arm the victory won;
Right dearly it hath cost Him.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 387:1)
