Expensive god!
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On October 31, 1517, a monk was so frustrated by the Catholic Church’s practice of selling what he called “indulgences” that he published the “95 Theses” against the so-called “indulgences” in the Catholic Church. His name was Martin Luther, and his theses started a religious revolution!
These indulgencies he was against allegedly allowed people to “buy” God’s salvation. He found the practice fundamentally wrong in theology.
Martin Luther had studied the Bible to the extent that it left him with the unshakeable realization that:
A sinful person who believes in the all-powerful, all knowing, all-encompassing and absolute God — the maker and owner of all things — is made righteous in the eye’s of God through this very same belief, and God’s Mercy; and not through money, materials or good works.
Luther was very convinced that this formed the core of the Christian message; that the faithful can turn to their creator directly through prayer. They needed no one, and no institution as a middle man. This radical idea broke the power of the Catholic Church, starting with its religious doctrine.
What do we see today? The protestants that emerged from Martin Luther’s revolt are the main sellers! All kinds of oils, waters, seed money, special prayers, pledges, donations, lands, buildings, vacation trips, cars, offerings, and many more are all on offer for God’s salvation, mercy, favour, healing, deliverance; and indeed anything God can provide!
Has God become that expensive? Or we have created our own expensive god?
Where does that leave faith in God? Where does that leave those who cannot afford these things? Where does that leave the poor, widows and orphans that Christ cared so much for? Where does that leave the poor that Jesus came to proclaim good news to in Luke 4; the captives He has come to set free, the blind that He has come to give sight to, the oppressed that He has come to set free and the favour of the Lord that He has come to proclaim?
One scripture that kicked Martin Luther into action was Romans 1:17. In the NIV, it says;
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:
“The righteous will live by faith.”
(Romans 1:17 NIV)
The righteousness of God is by faith from first to last!
Interestingly, Jesus didn’t focus on righteousness alone when He talked about this. He linked it to what He knows men would desire and said:
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
(Matthew 6:32-33)
What we seek first these days are the “all these things” that are supposed to be added; with the kingdom and his righteousness nowhere to be found!
In a very materialistic world, it is very easy to be drawn into the rat race of going after the “all these things” first.
But Jesus’ words still stand; and His promises to provide “all these things” when we seek “ the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” are still “Yea and Amen!”
It has been more than 500 years since Martin Luther revolted, but Covid-19 came to remind us of his convictions; that cultivating the kingdom of God and its righteousness first, still works. Those who did that are the ones still standing.
Interestingly, all other things are still added.
MEMORY VERSE
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:
“The righteous will live by faith.”
(Romans 1:17 )
QUESTIONS
What do you seek for yourself, your family, and your church?
Do you know that the formula is still the kingdom and its righteousness first?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me
to get it right: Kingdom
and its righteousness first;
then You would add
other things.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church
where you can Fellowship with like
minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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