What Does It Take to Have the Heart of a Reformer?
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” - Ephesians 2:8
On Reformation Day, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude for the life of Martin Luther, for his unwavering faith and commitment to the truth of God’s Word.
But what did it take for Luther to have the heart of a reformer? It wasn’t his life goal or that he set out to become one. Yet in discovering the truth in God’s word that we’re saved by grace and not by works, he couldn’t keep silent.
8 Characteristics of a Reformer’s Heart
So what did it take for Luther to have the heart of a reformer? The following are eight characteristics found in his life.
1. Luther had a passion to be close to God. He had a heart to seek after God, diligently pursuing becoming a monk, whipping himself raw, thinking he had to try and appease the wrath of a holy God and become deserving of Heaven.
Tirelessly trying to get closer to God in his own efforts, Luther was also a compulsive confessor of his sins, doing so up to six hours a day.
2. Luther had a thirst for discovering the truth of God’s word. Luther devoted himself to studying the Scriptures and during his studies, the Holy Spirit revealed to him the truth of Ephesians 2:8 that the just shall live by faith. In discovering this truth, Luther learned that none of his self-afflictions could ever justify him before God, because it only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
3. Luther loved the Church. With his new revelation concerning Salvation, Luther became disillusioned, recognizing serious errors in the Church’s teaching and practices, including selling indulgences to raise money, pressuring individuals to give money with the promise that their deceased relatives could be released from purgatory. His hope was that the truth would bring loving correction to the Church.
4. Luther took action. So with deep conviction, on October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses against the Church’s revenue-generating scheme, along with other abuses, nailing his document on the Wittenberg, Germany, cathedral door for all to see, a common practice at the time.
But the Church rejected Luther’s critique and corrections and disapproved of the spread of his findings via the newly invented printing press. As his ideas spread throughout Germany, they stirred up a lot of controversy, and led to the Church Council in 1521 to demand that Luther recant his theses.
5. Luther felt a responsibility to share the truth he found. Once God revealed the truth to Luther, he felt a responsibility to make this truth known. He most likely thought the Church would be receptive and even grateful for his revelation.
6. Luther was unafraid to speak the truth of God’s word. After discovering the truth, Luther had to tell others, regardless of the consequences. When he was told to keep silent, he wouldn’t because he felt such a conviction to let others know the wonderful truth he had found.
7. Luther was unwilling to compromise the truth. The price for his stand was costly, paying dearly for it, being excommunicated by Pope Leo X from the Catholic Church in 1521, because he would not recant, he was declared an outlaw and heretic and had to run for his life, finding refuge in Wartburg Castle with Fredrick the Wise, under an assumed name and disguise.
8. Luther would not back down. Despite being excommunicated from the Church and his life threatened, Luther refused to back down, stating:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis: my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”
Luther had a burning desire for others to know God’s truth for themselves. During his hiding out for his life, after being excommunicated, he put the Bible in the hands of the people by translating it into German.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Like Luther, are you discovering truths that you want to share with your pastor, church, and denomination? If so, what is holding you back? Ask God to help you step forward and step up to offer loving correction when you see an error in teaching.
Further Reading:
6 Reasons Christians Should Celebrate Reformation Day
Are You Willing to Address Issues in Your Church?
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: Wim van 't Einde on Unsplash
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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