Over 500 years ago when the full counsel of the Word of God was concealed, Martin Luther ignited the flames of the Protestant Reformation revolt that burned a trail and brought about the
Christ-centered,
Scripture-centered,
faith-centered,
grace-centered,
all to the glory of God purpose rooted church.
His bolden truths of the whole counsel of the Word of God were proclaimed knowing many would object, disagree, and cost him much. Only a person with Luther’s boldness and courage could speak out knowing great danger would loom, but more so, only a person who knows his reward is not found in the accolades of man rewarded on this earth, but rather awaiting in glory when his eyes are locked with the One who will affirm.
“Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.”
Matthew 25:21
Unworried with public opinion, political status or monetary gain, Luther fearlessly unleashed the truth of God’s Word. He exposited the Word, verse by verse, word for word, and never wavered or watered it down to accommodate the heart or mind state of the listener, but rather exhorted with a longing and call for those who heard to acknowledge Christ as Lord of their life and repent.
The times in which we find ourselves living urgently resound the need of a new reformation. We are in critical need of a new generation of men and women heralding and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ without compromise and without hesitation. With the unwavering faith of a few and The Word of God at the helm steering the way with its authority and supremacy, God will be put in His proper place as sovereign, holy, Ruler of all.
Luther knew this when He proclaimed the Great Commission, “This is Christ’s commission: ‘Go therefore, just go on preaching; do not worry about who will listen; let Me worry about that. The world will be against you; do not let that trouble you. Nevertheless, there will be those who will listen to you and follow. You do not know them now, but I know them already. You preach and let Me manage.’” (Wilson, “Luther on Preaching as God Speaking,” in The Pastoral Luther, 107. Luther knew the sovereignty of God in whom all those He has chosen from the foundations of the earth are already known fully by Him, yet he still went, and he still proclaimed.
What are you willing to lose for standing firm, going forth in order that the truth of God’s Word be shared? WHO are you willing to lose for standing for the truth of God’s Word?
Can you truly say, “Lord, I am here, send me,” knowing it will cost you every comfort and security the world falsely claims and promotes? Are you willing to live a fearless life, with courage and tenacity for the Word of God, or are you still holding on to people and things of this world?
Let me encourage you, sister, if you are not in a Bible teaching church, find one. If you are still sitting in the pews of a seeker friendly church getting your ears tickled each week, flee and run to the doors of Bible teaching church where the Word of God is exposited and exhausted every week. It is crucial for your ability to be able to stand amidst the trials of this life. It is imperative for your spiritual growth and critical for your fight in a world that hates truth and longs to destroy its integrity and eternal worth.
Find a place where it can be said, “but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles, foolishness, but to those who ae the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24-25
