This week we have celebrated once again that monumental day that changed the church, and the world, forever. While most eyes were focused on costumes and candy, perhaps we forgot that pivotal day in history commemorating Martin Luther’s act of defiance when he nailed his 95 theses on the door of a church in Wittenburg, Germany. Those 95 statements, calling for reform in the Catholic church, reverberated from nation to nation as others began calling for reformation. This movement, which has become known as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, sent ripples, if not tsunami waves, crashing on the shores of nations and continents.

While thinking about this, my mind focused on Martin Luther’s trial, as he was brought before the Diet (assembly) of the Holy Roman Emperor held at Worms, Germany, in 1521. It was a watershed moment in his life, as he was commanded to recant his 95 theses, and submit to the teachings of the Catholic church, which he refused to do. His final statement to the assembly was: “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen”

Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.

Luther knew the costs of what he was doing. He knew the assembly had the power of life or death over one who had refused to adhere to the teachings of the church. And yet, his concluding remarks to the assembly showed that his commitments were first and foremost to God, and to His Word. This event sparked what has come to be known as the Protestant Reformation, and it is still producing powerful results in those churches and denominations that adhere to the Biblical teachings that came about as a result of this moment in history.

This historical event – this brief moment in time that literally turned the world, and more specifically, the church, on its head – should be remembered and commemorated by all who embrace reformation theology. But that is not the intent of this post. Rather, I would like for each of us to think about our own watershed moment in life. I would like for us to review, at least in our minds, that moment that we embraced the five “sola’s” that came about as a result of the reformation.

Take a moment to revisit that moment in your life when these five slogans that came about as a result of the reformation became personal for you. Think about that moment when you placed your eternal state on these five statements. You embraced the teachings of Scripture alone, which led you to accept Christ alone, through His grace alone, as a result of your faith alone, which culminated in your desire to live to the glory of God alone.

That moment for me took place on September 13, 1977. I will share more of my personal story in the next few posts. However, as I do so, I would love to hear from you. I would love to hear your story, and, with your permission, I would like to share your story so that other readers might be encouraged by your personal confession.

I am excited about these next few posts! I am really excited about the possibility of hearing your story – and the opportunity to share your story with others. Let’s be encouragers for one another. As the writer of Proverbs says:

As Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17, NKJV

So, let’s sharpen one another with the story of our own personal watershed moment when we committed our lives to Jesus Christ. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Until next time:

Blessings!