Not Just Halloween : Reformation Day for Today!
/October 31, 1517… the day that changed the world of Christendom forever. German monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. His action launched what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation (Or Protestant Revolt, depending on which side you are on).
Luther never intended to leave the Catholic church, but rather to reform it. But in God’s will, reform and a Biblical revolution began and continues to this day.
Luther didn’t get everything right, but he did get it right that “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17) and so much more.
And Luther got something else right that helps us today. He got it right about how to live in the midst of a pandemic (the Black Plague) with God’s balanced, grace-filled perspective.
So here again on this Reformation Day are Luther’s wise insights based on his own behavior and his trust in a sovereign God who is over all … yes, even a pandemic.
First posted March 21, 2020
This entered my email inbox early today through a trusted friend. I just HAD to share it with you — the wise and practical words of one of my flawed but courageous heroes of the faith. Take his ancient words to heart…so applicable to our COVID-19 situation today.
When Martin Luther, one of the great "grace teachers" 500 years ago, was dealing with The Black Death plague, he wrote this, which demonstrated his trust in God, love for people, and wise counsel.
“I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God."
[ Luther's Works Volume 43 pg 132 the letter "Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague" written to Rev. Dr. John Hess.]
Mark Maulding
President and Founder
Mark@GraceLifeternational.comGrace Life International has closed our offices temporarily but we are still counseling, coaching, teaching and training live online…visit our website for more details at GraceLifeInternational.com.
