On October 31st 1517 an obscure scholar-monk started a revolution that would send shock waves throughout Europe. No shots were fired. No rousing speeches were made.
But something happened that changed the direction of world history. Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Castle Church in Germany. That’s what people used to do to provoke debate before social media was invented. The Reformation had begun.
Luther was protesting against the sale of Indulgences. They were documents issued by the church authorities that guaranteed the buyer, or their departed loved ones, a better time in the afterlife. Forgiveness for sale. That was what so outraged Martin Luther. By studying the Bible he discovered something that for too long had been forgotten in the teachings of the church. The radical, disturbing and amazing idea of grace.
Luther had tried his best to get close to God as a monk. He was zealous for good works and religious practices. But they gave him no peace. Suddenly Luther came to see that he’d got it all wrong. God forgives and accepts us not because we have earned his favour, but because Jesus died in our place. Salvation is received by faith, not achieved by works. That’s grace.
Understanding this gave Luther and those who followed his teaching a tremendous sense of freedom. Freedom from constantly having to prove themselves to God and others. Freedom from rules the church had added to the Bible. The Reformation which started 500 years ago this month was a Freedom Movement, recalling people to the liberating good news of God’s grace. As Jesus said, ‘If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’
Pastor: Guy Davies
Providence Baptist Church
www.providence- ebenezer.org.uk
