Standing Firm in the Truth of the Gospel
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” - Romans 1:16
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Anyone who knows Martin Luther’s life story knows that he was not ashamed of the Gospel. Once God revealed the truth of how we are saved by grace and not by any works of our own, he risked his reputation, position in the Church, and very life to boldly and courageously proclaim it to the masses, so they could know the truth, too.
Growing up in Germany at the end of the Middle Ages, Luther's spiritual journey began with a 1505 thunderstorm that led him to abandon his study of law and become a Catholic monk.
His revelation took place during a life-and-death experience, after a terrifying bolt of lightning struck near him, leading him to fearfully ask God to make a deal with him for divine protection, to spare his life in exchange for his changing course and devoting himself to ministry.
Still, even after his divine guidance in pursuit of holiness, Luther felt undeserving, working his hardest to be righteous, worthy, and deserving enough to appease the wrath of a holy God, whipping himself raw and confessing his sins up to six hours a day to be accepted into heaven.
In God’s mercy, as Luther studied His word, the Holy Spirit revealed to him the truth that the just shall live by faith, and that none of his self-afflictions could ever justify him before a holy God, but that Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:17 led to Luther’s breakthrough, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.”
God gave Luther a revelation, revealing to him the need for Christ’s light to dispel the darkness, but the Catholic Church didn’t agree with him and excommunicated him for his discovery.
Still, it didn’t deter Luther from the truth, who went on to translate the Bible into German, giving individuals the opportunity to read it for themselves, leading many people to be transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and ushering in a new era referred to as the Reformation and the birth of the Protestant Church.
Luther’s enlightenment and boldness in sharing God’s truth of Salvation through Jesus Christ alone led to Reformation Day, a day we still celebrate with gladness today.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the life of Martin Luther and for the boldness and courage he had in sharing Your truth with the world. Strengthen me today to stand firm and steadfast in the truth of the Gospel. Like Luther, lead me to be willing to risk my name, reputation, and livelihood to proclaim the truth of the Gospel. Help me choose to walk daily in Your word. Let Your light shine through me, as it did through Luther so many years ago, to those who walk around this world in darkness, boldly sharing the gift of Your Salvation through grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. How committed are you to standing firm in the truth of God’s word, even if or when it is in conflict with your church or fellow Christian’s understanding?
2. In what ways can you follow Luther’s diligent, bold, and courageous example of making God’s word accessible to those around us? Are you willing to share His truth by giving others a copy of the Bible?
3. Like Luther, is there a time in your life when the Lord really opened your eyes to a truth in God’s word that you didn’t see or understand before that moment?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/ijeab
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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