Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? . . . All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, . . .Clearly no one is justified before God by the law because, “The righteous will live by faith" (Galatians 3:2b,10,11).
He had made the walk countless times, yet as he passed through the streets of Wittenberg on this day, his pace was slower than usual. He seemed to be lost in thought, as if he were debating some great issue in his own mind.
It was this same week (October 31st) in the year 1517. As Martin Luther reached the doors of the church, he stopped. Pausing just a moment, as if the debate had ended, he reached into his satchel and removed a large parchment. He looked it over one last time and then nailed it to the outside door of the church. The parchment contained a neatly penned list of 95 theses, sentence arguments, from himself as a Catholic priest and teacher, regarding the current practices of the church.
Martin Luther had no idea that the spark of his protest would ignite a bonfire that would forever change the character of the Christian movement. His actions on that October day in Germany united a host of protesters (called Protestants). A great movement to reform the church was inaugurated, and the ripples of the Reformation continue to this day, that now number over 1 billion followers.
The Reformers protested that salvation rested within the Church alone – that the church through the clergy, mediated salvation – and that a person’s salvation came as a result of the activity of God plus our own good works. However, in July of 1517, Luther was working on a lecture based on Galatians 3. In his study these words leaped from the page – “Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? All who rely on observing the law are under a curse…Clearly no one is justified before God by the law because, “The righteous will live by faith" (Galatians 3:2b,10,11).
Luther began to see that salvation was neither earned nor bought but given by grace and accepted through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible had never been translated into German for people to read and very few could read the Scriptures themselves. In response to Luther's writings, the officials arrested him and brought him to trial, where he was told on threat of death, “You must recant.” His now-famous reply was this: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I will not recant. Here I stand: God help me. Amen.”
Today we are part of a great movement of evangelical Protestants that stretches around the world, who believe “the righteous live by faith” (Galatians 3:11). Thanks for all your church is doing to take positive steps forward by focusing on the basics of what the Lord has revealed to us for a healthy future:
Mobilizing everyone in unity
Blessing your community
Bringing people to Jesus
Becoming Christlike disciples
We are leaning in together, participating in the selection of our next superintendent. We have wonderful days ahead on the CCD. You are loved.
Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene