On this day in 1517

On this day in 1517 a German monk, Martin Luther nailed 95 statements to a door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany, to protest against and challenge erroneous thinking by the Catholic church. For the most part the reaction was against the church selling indulgences. These are basically 'get out of jail free' cards sold by the catholic leadership that could forgive the sins of a person who had already died. It was a terrible mockery of God's grace that comes through Jesus alone. Luther, inspired by passages in the bible that tell us we are saved by grace alone through faith alone could not bear to see people misled by the church. He wanted people to see that forgiveness, salvation and resurrection was found in Christ and him alone!

There are absolute gems of Biblical gracious Christian truth in his 95 statements, and in memory of what he did in liberating the church from religiousness. I encourage you to reflect on some of  them today:


When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.


It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest avarice and greed increase; but when the church offers intercession, all depends in the will of God.


Any true Christian whatsoever, living or dead, participates in all the benefits of Christ and the Church; and this participation is granted to him by God without letters of indulgence.


Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of indulgence


The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God.


Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells