Happy Tuesday--All Authority is found in Scripture

Good Tuesday to you! I hope your week is off to a fabulous start. Did you realize this month marks a very important anniversary in our history? The 500th Anniversary of the Great Reformation. Yeah, I didn't either until I read about it the other day, which is a bit sad actually since it is really a very important date in church history--the date of revolution for our theology. The day when the church was told "Read the Bible for yourself!" In October 1517, Martin Luther published his 95 Theses which basically said that all authority should come from scripture not church tradition. 


The Reformation marks the time when the the question of "how are sinful men and women justified and made right with God?" was finally answered. This question had plagued the young Martin Luther when he came to realize that it was not by works but only by the grace of the living God could man be made whole. And it was so impactful on his life he became totally passionate about spreading that message. 

And the "forgotten reformer" Thomas Bliney, who lived in England about the same time began reading from I Timothy 1:15

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.”  ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." He realized that all authority was found in scripture alone and nothing he could ever do would compare with what the Savior had already done. Looking to the scripture we find our acceptance. In Christ alone, our hope alone, grace alone, through faith alone. He is all we need. Solo Deo Gloria. 

So today, thank God for men brave enough 500 years ago to stand against the status quo because they read the scripture for themselves and in doing so, the Holy Spirit opened their eyes to truth. May the Spirit do likewise for us as we read for ourselves and pray for wisdom.

Love you dear one,

Pam



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more