4 Martin Luther Quotes that Changed my Faith
STUCK
Ever get stuck in your faith? The Word of God has hope for now and God has a plan for you. God wants you to draw close to Him through reading, studying, and prayer! One of my favorite passages is James 4:8a- “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (ESV) Drawing near to God is always worthwhile.Our purpose on this earth is to know God and to make Him known.
In addition to Scripture, sometimes I look back to some of the great church fathers in the history of Christendom. Most of these men have dedicated their lives to studying the Scripture and have interesting perspectives on the character of GodThe word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12 NLT). This means is that the Bible speaks to people in different ways, always leading to the same character of the triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Martin Luther on Idolatry
“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.”This is an important reminder for me to not blame my circumstances, my relationships, and particularly my husband for when I’m not happy. When I’m not happy, it’s meant to be a reminder from God to place my hope and my love with Him. The “God-shaped-box” in my soul cannot be filled by anyone else other than God.
Martin Luther on Prayer
“The fewer the words, the better the prayer.”Some of my most endearing prayers have been like breathing in and breathing out… breathing in knowledge of God as I’m reading Scripture and breathing out praise. When Jesus gave us instructions to pray, He said: “But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” Matthew 6:6-8
Martin Luther on the Word of God
“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” One of my favorite passages in the New Testament, Ephesians 5:25-27, describes how God prepares us for Heaven through an earthly illustration. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” In the middle of describing how marriage works, Paul gives a theology lesson and describes the chosen instrument of God for purifying His bride… “cleansing her by the washing of water through the word”. When you are in the Word, that’s God’s tool for your sanctification.
Martin Luther on Trusting God
“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.”Perhaps the most difficult part of being a Christian is knowing God’s truth but living here on earth with Satan being the “ruler of this world” (according to Jesus Himself in John 12:31). The money, possessions, and even relationships that we hold onto with a clenched fist, we will lose. When we give the things we treasure most to God, not only to we often get to keep them, but we also grow closer to God.
What about you?
What are some of your favorite theological quotes? Who are some of your favorite theologians? In what way do they impact you?