I recall a story about a lady who lived her life under severe stress due to her past sin. She was a young teenager who buckled under the pressure of sexual sin and lost her virginity at a very early age. She lived her entire life with a great feeling of uncleanness as a result of her sin. As a young adult twelve years after her sin, she was taking showers 3-4 times per day in order to escape the reality of her sin. The need to be forgiven can often haunt the soul and mind of an individual for years. In the days of Martin Luther, the Pope was promising relief from personal sin and future payment in purgatory through indulgences. This completely outraged Martin Luther! That is what sparked his “95 Theses” titled – Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences - which was nailed to the Castle Church in Wittenburg on October 31st 1517.
Martin Luther wrote number 36 which says: Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of indulgence. Luther understood that nobody could ever escape personal guilt of sin nor the penalty of sin through the purchase of indulgences. True repentance can only be distributed by God – not a Pope, Council, or any other Organization of man.
One reason that I am so grateful for Martin Luther is due to his strong willed desire and backbone as he stood and faithfully opposed the mainline religious path of his day. It would have been extremely easy to bend under pressure and turn a deaf ear to the issues. For Luther, he could do no other!
We must remember that in our day, forgiveness is available in Christ Jesus. Often people in our churches seek forgiveness through service, giving, or even worship alone. Forgiveness of sin comes through true confession – 1 John 1:9 – and He is faithful and just to forgive when we call upon Him for forgiveness.
Rev. Josh Buice
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3 Responses to “Reformation Post #3
Luther on the Subject of Forgiveness”
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Josh,
I am teaching through Romans and often reference Luther.
However, I struggle to really accept Luther as a Godly man because of his treatment of the Jews. I feel like he created more roadblocks to reaching the Jews than bridges.
Are you troubled by what he said about the Jews?
David,
Regarding Luther, I find myself embarrassed and delighted at the same time! The man drank alcohol which I despise and he had some strange views regarding other theological issues as well. Luther rejected specific books as part of the Canon, and refused to teach from them. The man was a bit odd in ways, but absolutely brilliant in others.
When I come to Luther, I must say, I do not agree all of the time, but in regard to the specifics of the Reformation – I say – “Thank God for Luther!” I am very grateful for his stance there and for the spark of the Protestant Reformation. In regard to his weird ways, I say, “Gosh, Luther, you should have known better!”
Rev. Josh Buice
I appreciate your posts. I am learning much!