Martin Luther - Zde stojím a nemohu jinak – Bainton Roland H. (2024)

Martin Luther's contribution to the church reform undoubtedly ranks among the significant milestones in the history of God's people. It bears witness to a God who does not call flawless and infallible people to His service, but ordinary sinners to whom He grants His grace and forgiveness. Sinners whom He sanctifies to become instruments for fulfilling His will – the salvation of perishing souls. Luther was, of course, not the one who initiated the Reformation. The publication of Luther's 95 theses was not the first reformative step of the Middle Ages. The roots of the Reformation began to grow much earlier – during John Wycliffe in England or Jan Hus in Bohemia. Martin Luther originally did not intend to embark on a total reform of the church. He did not seek influence, did not want to become a well-known figure, and did not wish to establish a new church or congregations. However, events soon took a different turn, and Luther, obedient to God's guidance, raised the torch of his ancestors to fan the flames that purified all of Europe at that time. The fire, whose flames burn, warm, and illuminate the church to this day. The fire of God's word and the truth of the gospel, which continues to save sinners and sanctify God's people!