We just celebrated the 498th anniversary of the birth of the Reformation. When Martin Luther nailed those 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg, he was daring much for the sake of truth.
Now, some of us may embrace Luther as the father of Protestantism, and some will think it nearly unforgiveable that he started the movement that eventually split the church in twain. But I hope all of us will consider the bravery it took to stand up to a wrong.
How much does it cost to peer into Scripture to find truth, and speak it in opposition to authority?
It could have cost his life. It did cost him excommunication, trial, hardship. But we remember.
Here in the United States, this week we celebrate Veteran’s Day. We set aside this day to thank and remember those who wrote our country a blank check. They shouldered their corner of our international conflict and, feeling liberty was worth the price, left the amount blank – up to and including the cost of their own life.
How much does it cost to peer across the field, to consider the value of life lived in liberty, and stand in opposition to those who would take it away?
It often cost their lives. It always cost sacrifice of time – time away from family, time in horrific conditions. It cost innocence and pain. It cost scars, both physical and mental. It cost. But we remember.
Today, consider the possibility that it is only those who have something they are willing to die for that ever really live. And what about you, friend? What, in your life, is bigger than you? What, in your desires, is bigger than what you want?
When our lives become more about truth, justice, and faith than about ourselves – when our lives are more about serving others than serving ourselves – when our lives are more about speaking what is true than what people want to hear… when we lose our lives to Him - THEN we begin to live.
It costs effort. It can cost public attack. It can cost friendships. It might cost money and time. Most painfully, serving the Lord costs self. But if you, too, are willing to peer into Scripture, find truth, and act on that truth…He will remember, eternally.
Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Ephesians 4:15, “…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Blessings in your journey,
Patti & Cara
Classic Christianity
Now, some of us may embrace Luther as the father of Protestantism, and some will think it nearly unforgiveable that he started the movement that eventually split the church in twain. But I hope all of us will consider the bravery it took to stand up to a wrong.
How much does it cost to peer into Scripture to find truth, and speak it in opposition to authority?
It could have cost his life. It did cost him excommunication, trial, hardship. But we remember.
Here in the United States, this week we celebrate Veteran’s Day. We set aside this day to thank and remember those who wrote our country a blank check. They shouldered their corner of our international conflict and, feeling liberty was worth the price, left the amount blank – up to and including the cost of their own life.
How much does it cost to peer across the field, to consider the value of life lived in liberty, and stand in opposition to those who would take it away?
It often cost their lives. It always cost sacrifice of time – time away from family, time in horrific conditions. It cost innocence and pain. It cost scars, both physical and mental. It cost. But we remember.
Today, consider the possibility that it is only those who have something they are willing to die for that ever really live. And what about you, friend? What, in your life, is bigger than you? What, in your desires, is bigger than what you want?
When our lives become more about truth, justice, and faith than about ourselves – when our lives are more about serving others than serving ourselves – when our lives are more about speaking what is true than what people want to hear… when we lose our lives to Him - THEN we begin to live.
It costs effort. It can cost public attack. It can cost friendships. It might cost money and time. Most painfully, serving the Lord costs self. But if you, too, are willing to peer into Scripture, find truth, and act on that truth…He will remember, eternally.
Isaiah 1:17, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Ephesians 4:15, “…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
James 1:27, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Blessings in your journey,
Patti & Cara
Classic Christianity
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