According to history, it was on Oct. 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed (or pasted) his list of 95 Theses to the door of the the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The following day would be November 1st, All Saints’ Day, the most important day of the year for the display of relics at All Saints’ Church. Throngs of people would visit the church. The door was a kind of bulletin board. Some say he “nailed the list on the door in defiance,” but he might have simply pasted them their to stimulate a healthy dialogue. Either way, what do the 95 Theses mean to you? For you, what is the significance of the day? (Read and learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses.) So – what’s *your* take on its meaning and significance? How should it move us yet today? Please comment.
10) On Luther and His List
“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance”.
This, the first of the 95 theses, still challenges us today. The Law of God shows us our need for a saviour. The Gospel sets us free in Christ. The Christian life is a daily process of dying and rising to new life with Christ. And this is not from ourselves, it is the gracious gift of God.
Martin Luther has inspired me to take a steadfast stand against the human doctrine of today’s churches. The church has deceived God’s people into believing their actions will please Him. It is the same as what the leadership of Castle Church taught. The denominational system has built a very nice platform to continue to get people to give their “life” to get eternal life in exchange.
The denominational religious system teaches that, “You can do something that will affect and move the heart of God.” Give generously, pray, read God’s Word, fast, serve your neighbor, etc., anything a man does that is driven by the flesh. There is only one thing that moves the salvation mercy of God to be extended toward fallen mankind, and that is genuine, true repentance.
Genuine repentance produces fruit of repentance, where a man will give his life, interact with God’s living Word, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. He will make no provision of the flesh and love his neighbor in obedience to the will of the Father.
Luther and his list are of VERY GREAT HISTORIC SIGNIFIGANCE AND PRESENT DAY RELEVANCE in challenging the historic and present heresy of the catholic church. The Protestant Reformers, many if whom suffered persecution and martyrdom at the hand of a threatened catholic church, are not given their justly earned respect even to this day.
1. Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God has done, How His right arm the victory won; Right dearly it has cost Him.
2. Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay; Death brooded darkly o’er me. Sin was my torment night and day; In sin my mother bore me. But daily deeper still I fell; My life became a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me.
3. My own good works availed me naught, No merit they attaining; My will against God’s judgment fought, Dead to all good remaining. My fears increased till sheer despair Left naught but death to be my share; The pangs of hell I suffered.
4. But God beheld my wretched state Before the world’s foundation, And, mindful of His mercies great, He planned my soul’s salvation. A father’s heart He turned to me, Sought my redemption fervently: He gave His dearest treasure.
5. He spoke to His beloved Son: ’Tis time to have compassion. Then go, bright Jewel of My crown, And bring to man salvation; From sin and sorrow set him free, Slay bitter death for him that he May live with Thee forever.
6. The Son obeyed His Father’s will, Was born of virgin mother, And God’s good pleasure to fulfill, He came to be my brother. No garb of pomp or power He wore, A servant’s form, like mine, He bore, To lead the devil captive.
7. To me He spoke: “Hold fast to Me, I am thy rock and castle; Thy ransom I Myself will be, For thee I strive and wrestle; For I am with thee, I am thine, And evermore thou shalt be Mine: The foe shall not divide us.
8. ”The foe shall shed my precious blood, Me of My life bereaving. All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing. Life shall from death the victory win, My innocence shall bear thy sin; So art thou blest forever.
9. ”Now to my Father I depart, The Holy Spirit sending, And, heavenly wisdom to impart, My help to thee extending. He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow Me, And in all truth shall guide thee.
10. ”What I have done and taught, teach thou, My ways forsake thou never; So shall My kingdom flourish now And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy; This counsel I bequeath thee.”
– Martin Luther, translated by Richard Massie