Today in History, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg in 1517, beginning a movement he hoped would reform the Catholic Church (rebellion wasn't his intent), but would really revolutionize the world. As a monk, Luther had tried all the traditional forms of penance (acts to make up for sinful thoughts and actions), and nothing seemed to work. It wasn't until he read the Bible for himself that Martin Luther realized there was something wrong. So he tried to reform the church.
Consider, if you will what caused this catalyst, and both the good and bad that went along with it. Martin Luther desired to be close to God, and the traditions weren't working. So he read the word of God for himself. He couldn't have foreseen the upheavals this would cause, political, social, and religious, but every time there is a call to return to the word of God, from the Old Testament until now, it always causes a stir. In many ways, the Restoration Movement Churches began in much the same way. Men saw that following the traditions of men were getting in the way of worship, and sought to get back to the word of God. It caused a stir as people from all denominations standing in agreement stood upon the same principles Martin Luther had done some 300 years prior.
We get so caught up in this world, in politics, in social norms, in traditions, that as believers in Christ, we often consider the traditions to be the same as Scripture (As Barton Stone, Alexander Campbell and Martin Luther all discovered through the Scriptures, they aren't). When we dive in to the word of God, we can't help but seek reformation, as the Spirit reforms us through the Word. His word restores us to Himself as we begin to follow it daily. The Word of God is central to knowing the Will of God (Romans 12:2 says a lot on this!), and has power to transform the heart as the Holy Spirit informs us through it! Does your life need reformation? Like Luther, Campbell, Stone, and so many others, dive in to the Word. Get back in to it, and watch how God gets in to you!
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
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