November 1              Arrows of the Almighty

The Reformation

Today is Reformation Sunday in the Lutheran and most Reform Fellowships.  And I personally would like to see it celebrated by more of the Christian community because of Luther’s reverence for the Word of God.  Just recently it was suggested to me that the word Bible is an acrostic for “Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.”  It definitely would be an excellent alternative to Halloween for sure. 

Some would say that Luther’s claim of conscience as a guide was not enough of a guide but we must remember that the great Reformer only claimed it as a guide when it was bound by the Word of God.  His most famous claim of conscience was made as he stood on trial before the Diet of Worms on April 18, 1521.  Before the impaneled church leaders and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Luther declared “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason ..., I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God.  I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."  Luther believed that the Scriptures offer a very clear presentation of the Gospel of Christ with its moral and theological teachings.  He understood the inspiration, authority, sufficiency and clarity of the Word of God as he took his stand on the authority of the Scriptures alone.

I cannot help but understand that when the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to inspire and guide a child of God he is receiving true godly instruction. 

It cannot be emphasized too much for one who would be discipled by the Lord.  Take time to get into the Bible, reading and listening to the Presence of God whispering its truth into your spirit that your conscience can be formed not by the traditions and taboos of the world around you but by the character of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have access to the very throne and presence of God Himself.