Remember the Reformation On this date 497 years ago Martin Luther ignited a spark that would blaze the way for thousands of people to escape the bondage of religious deception. The visible church at the time of the Reformation was in utter darkness because the glorious light of the Gospel was hidden under a maze of religious corruption and pagan traditions. It was a church that venerated everything but God, including relics, the bones of dead people, Mary and statues. In an attempt to keep people in spiritual darkness, it placed the Bible on the list of forbidden books. Catholics who held a Bible in their possession could not be forgiven of their sins until they returned the Bible to the church. We owe a great debt to the many Reformers who literally became human torches as they were burned at the stake defending the truth of the Gospel. Consider Hugh Latimer’s last words to his companion as they were being burned at the stake: “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace... as I trust shall never be put out!” These brave men proclaimed the Gospel in the face of intense persecution and were willing to die for the faith that many evangelicals are compromising today. It is disheartening to see how the evangelical church has strayed so far from the great truths for which so many died defending. The Reformers boldly and courageously declared that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to Scripture alone for the glory of God alone. This was a necessary response to Roman Catholicism which proclaimed a false and fatal gospel of salvation by grace plus merit, through faith plus works, in Christ plus other mediators, according to Scripture plus tradition for the glory of God and Mary and the saints. The Roman Catholic Church is a huge and neglected mission field with over 1 billion souls who need to be evangelized. May God give us all a greater compassion for those who are on the broad road to destruction. They are victims of deception and need to hear the truth that will set them free.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 05:31:49 +0000
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