Martin Luther: The Just Shall Live By Faith

After leaving the monastery, Luther was called.

To the University of Wittenberg to teach.

While here in Wittenberg, he applied himself.

To to the study of the Scriptures.

In their original tongues and began to lecture on the Bible, in particular the Psalms, the Epistles and the Gospels.

His friend Staupitts urged him to ascend the pulpit and preach. This was something he was hesitant to do, feeling unworthy of the task. But following a long struggle and with encouragement from his friends, he finally agreed. Luther was an eloquent speaker, captivating his hearers with the clarity and power with which he spoke. Before long, his fame as a speaker was growing, both amongst the university students and the general public. Every great revival in history has been founded on great preaching and the German Reformation was was to be no different.

A dispute arose between seven of the local convent and their Vicar general and it wasn't long before the future reformer was sent on his way to Rome to settle the quarrel. On his way there he noticed some things. Staying at the monasteries he noted the wealth, magnificence and sheer luxury that was there. He contrasted this with a life of self denial that he himself had grown accustomed to. The Pope at that time was Pope Julius ii and Luther thought that Rome was, as it were, the very gate of heaven itself. Indeed, as he approached Rome, he lay prostrate on the ground and said, holy Rome, I salute thee.

As he entered the city and visited the churches and saw the priests and and monks, he was filled with both shock and horror. He saw amongst the clergy unashamed and open sin. He heard the indecent jokes, swearing, and he struggled to find some peace and solace. No one can imagine, he said, what type of sins are committed in Rome? They have to be seen or heard to be believed. They are in the habit of saying, if there is a hell, then Rome is built over it. It is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.

By a recent decree, an indulgence was promised to all those who would ascend Pilate's staircase on their knees. It was believed that the staircase in Rome was mysteriously transported there during the night and was the very staircase that Jesus ascended on the night of the when he was condemned. One day, Luther was devoutly climbing these steps when a voice came to him like thunder. The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16. He got up from his knees, walked away, never to be the same again.

Upon returning from Rome, Luther preached his faith sermon entitled the just shall live by Faith here in the St. Mary's Town Church. This was a question that lay heavy on Luther's mind and one which he wrestled with over and over again. Indeed, the German Reformation hinged on the question how can a man be just in the sight of God? It's a question that many people still wrestle with today.

At this point in his life, Luther had no plans to start his own church or movement and still saw himself as a loyal son of the church. But in making the commitment to put the Bible above the words of the councils or popes, he set himself on a course that would ultimately lead far away from Rome. In Luther's life, he followed the Holy Spirit's leading. When he made the decision to preach, he followed the Holy Spirit's leading. When he got off his knees in Rome, he he followed the Holy Spirit's leading in his ministry here and was true to his convictions. May we be true to the Holy Spirit's leading in our life. May we be strong in our convictions and true to God's word as well.