HAPPY 490TH CELEBRATION OF THE REFORMATION!

This is my pastor’s letter of encouragement today. It was just what I needed today…everyday! I am so grateful for Pastor Biggs’ faithful teaching and shepherding of his flock, of which I am privileged to be a part! For more of Pastor Biggs’ excellent teaching, visit A Place For Truth.

Are you despairing of your own righteousness today, realizing that you are more sinful before God than you had thought before? Are you realizing that when all is said and done you just are not righteous before God? Or perhaps you are thinking more highly of yourself and your good works before God?

If you are doing either of these things, you are looking to yourself and your own righteousness to affirm and assure yourself before God. When you look to yourself you make null and void the work of Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:21).

If you have sought your salvation and righteousness in yourself, and you have realized the depth of your sins before God in words, thoughts, and deeds, then you know how Martin Luther felt when he cried out to his friend John Staupitz, saying: “Who can abide the Day of the Lord’s coming? And who shall stand when he appears?!” (Mal. 3:2).

Luther knew that if he were to be judged before God based on his own merits, then he would be damned and condemned and so his soul was not able to find peace.

Even when we find our righteousness and hope in Christ through faith, we need to daily be constantly reminded of Christ’s righteousness and merits for us- -not our own righteousness as the motivation for all we do. Our best works and good deeds before God are as filthy rags the Bible says.

When Luther was in despair, his friend Staupitz loved him enough to say these words:

“Why do you torment yourself with all these speculations and these high thoughts of your works before God? Look at the wounds of Jesus Christ, to the blood that he has shed for you: it is there that the grace of God will appear to you.

Instead of torturing yourself on account of your sins, throw yourself in your Redeemer’s arms. Trust in him- - in the righteousness and merits of his life- -in the atonement of his death. Do not shrink back; God is not angry with you, it is you who are angry with God.

Listen to the Son of God not your own thoughts; meditate on His Word to you. Jesus became man to give you the assurance of divine favor. He says to you: You are my sheep; you hear my voice; no man shall pluck you out of my strong hand.” ~John Staupitz to Martin Luther, ca.1509.

Be reminded of the truth of God’s grace and righteousness for you found in Christ alone today! This is the simple gospel that God restored in the Reformation and why it must be continued to be preached in the Church today! Do you believe the gospel?

HAPPY 490^TH CELEBRATION OF THE REFORMATION!

^ESV Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

In Christ,

Pastor Biggs