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This coming Sunday is Reformation Sunday. We remember Martin Luther, a no-name monk, who taught bible in the dumpy little town of Wittenberg, who lit a match and caused a great explosion in the religious and political community throughout Europe. This explosion happened when Luther reportedly nailed his 95 Theses to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. He had questions about God. He had questions about the Church. He had questions about the religious and political authorities. He had questions about almost everything. His 95 Theses, within weeks, spread throughout Europe and touched off a firestorm. The tectonic plates under the footings of the Church began to shake and then shift dramatically never to come together, again.
In 1521, Luther was invited to a very important meeting in the city of Worms for one purpose, and one purpose only. They wanted Luther to issue a public apology. Nothing else was acceptable. This was his moment. This moment would define every other moment of his life. Standing behind a table filled with his books, Luther held his ground, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scripture or by clear reason, I am bound by the Scripture I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen.” In the presence of every power bearing down on him, Luther drew a line in the sand, as if, to say, “Here I stand…I cannot and will not recant. Here I stand…this is what I believe.”
What do you believe? Where is your line? Where do you stand?
Luther knew a lot of things but one thing he really knew. He knew, that through Jesus we are saved by grace through faith alone. There is nothing that we can add to what Christ has already done. Nothing! It is because of Christ that we are the chosen and beloved, freed, and forgiven children of God. When we know where we stand it shapes the way we live life.
What do you believe? Where is your line? Where do you stand?
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