St Margaret's Church, Northam

Reflection from Nigel Price

Today we celebrate Martin Luther, and I don’t know about you, but when I hear Martin Luther I think ‘Diet of Worms’ and that then leads me to think about ‘1066 and all that’ – the spoof history book by Sellars and Yeatman. In fact there is only a passing reference to the Diet of Worms in one of the sample test papers; I am sure they could have had a field day with it as they did with so many other stories from history. Of course, this is much more mundane than it appears, because a Diet is just a meeting or assembly and Worms is a city in Germany. Luther was called to answer questions by the authorities and refusing to renounce his propositions was excommunicated as a heretic. But for many he was a hero.

Martin Luther’s teachings can be summarized by the 3 Solae.

Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority. Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are justified through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): We are saved by the grace of God alone.

Often added to this is:

Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.

The following is an extract from an introduction to Paul’s letter to the Romans by Martin Luther.

Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,'' they say, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.” They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``I believe.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this `faith,' either.

Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.

Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God’s favour that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.

I really don’t think I can add anything useful to those thoughts.

The Collect

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St Margaret's Church, Northam

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