Scripture reading: Galatians 1:6–10

Here I Stand

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God

for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

 

Martin Luther and his followers were not called Protestants for nothing! Ever since he nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, we Protestants have been protesting about something. And rightly so! Darkness ought to be opposed. Lies should be exposed. And though it makes people uneasy, it is in everyone’s interest to publicize the names of those who propagate error and lead the multitudes astray, even if it is the Pope! To be a Protestant is, by definition, to be one who knows when (and how) to protest.

In Luther’s day, the issue was indulgences. The Dominican friar Johann Tetzel was raising money for the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. His methods were mercenary and his doctrine heretical. He promised people they could escape the fires of purgatory by purchasing one of his indulgences, and if they bought more, they could improve the conditions of their dead relatives in the afterlife. His sermons included the famous phrase: As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.

As Tetzel preached, Luther simmered. He had been studying the book of Romans and knew that what Tetzel was preaching was damnable heresy. So, he protested! Writing out his protestations (95 of them!) he nailed them to the door of the church for all to see.

,. (#6) The pope himself cannot remit guilt, but only declare and confirm that it has been remitted by God.

,. (#27) There is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of purgatory immediately when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest.

,. (#32) All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.

,. (#82) [If the pope indeed has such power], why does he not liberate every- one from purgatory for the sake of love?

,. (#86) Since the pope’s income today is larger than that of the wealthiest of wealthy men, why does he not build St. Peter’s church with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?

Thank God for Luther’s solitary protest! His courageous stand against error was like a spark in a keg of gunpowder. The sound of his little hammer was heard around the world. His protest led to the Reformation. He stood up for truth and took his stand on the Word of God.

What about you? What about our day? Lies and heresies are still being propagated among us, often by the church. Who will protest? Who will take a stand? Go find your hammer and live up to your protest-ant heritage. There is no limit to what God can do when one person takes a stand against the darkness!

 

Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.

—Mother Teresa

 

point to  ponder • Where should you be making a stand against the darkness?

prayer focus • Culture warriors who stand for Truth.