Austin's Blog

While the reformer Martin Luther was exiled for his safety at the Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms, some of his colleagues and friends took the Reformation into their own hands by attempting to use violence to accomplish a quick change. After hearing of the abuses and excesses of the revolution, Luther courageously resolved to return to Wittenberg. Upon the first Sunday of his return, he ascended the pulpit and preached. He did so for the following seven days. Below is one of the most beautiful summations of what caused Luther’s success. He did not deem it wise or holy to use force or carnal means to reform the Church. The Word of God would do the work.

“I will preach, speak, write, but I will force no one; for faith must be voluntary. Take me as an example. I stood up against the Pope, indulgences, and all papists, but without violence or uproar. I only urged, preached, and declared God’s Word, nothing else. And yet while I was asleep, or drinking Wittenberg beer with my Philip Melanchthon and Amsdorf, the Word inflicted greater injury on popery than prince or emperor ever did. I did nothing, the Word did every thing.”

May we trust the Word to do the work in the Church. Our job is simply to be faithful in proclaiming it.