Change History by Memorizing God's Word
At the end of the month, society will hold various festivities for Halloween. Unfortunately, our culture’s celebration will overshadow an even more important event on that day – the start of the Reformation. On October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church. His document detailed a series of abuses committed by a church that had grown ignorant of the Word of God. His bold act was a shot across the bow of a compromised church. Historians mark this episode as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.[READMORE]
How did Luther reach this conclusion that prompted such courageous action? The full explanation is too lengthy for this blog; however, a key component was Scripture meditation. A few years earlier, he conducted an intensive study of Romans and Galatians. In Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, writing, “the righteous shall live by faith.” Luther prayerfully meditated on the passage and its meaning. He realized that the righteousness described is not one we gain through moral deeds and good works. It is not self-righteousness but the righteousness of another (Jesus Christ) that justifies one before the Holy God. Luther said, “When I discovered that [the meaning of righteousness in these passages], I was born again of the Holy Ghost. And the doors of paradise swung open, and I walked through.” God used personal meditation on several critical Scripture verses to change history by bringing a renewed biblical purity to the Church.
Who knows what the Lord can accomplish with your life through Scripture meditation? An essential prerequisite for meditation is memorization. Bible memorization organically leads to meditation. A Scripture known experientially and appropriated by the soul spawns strong convictions and courageous living like Martin Luther. Let Reformation Day inspire you to renew your zeal for deep meditation through consistent memorization!
How did Luther reach this conclusion that prompted such courageous action? The full explanation is too lengthy for this blog; however, a key component was Scripture meditation. A few years earlier, he conducted an intensive study of Romans and Galatians. In Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, writing, “the righteous shall live by faith.” Luther prayerfully meditated on the passage and its meaning. He realized that the righteousness described is not one we gain through moral deeds and good works. It is not self-righteousness but the righteousness of another (Jesus Christ) that justifies one before the Holy God. Luther said, “When I discovered that [the meaning of righteousness in these passages], I was born again of the Holy Ghost. And the doors of paradise swung open, and I walked through.” God used personal meditation on several critical Scripture verses to change history by bringing a renewed biblical purity to the Church.
Who knows what the Lord can accomplish with your life through Scripture meditation? An essential prerequisite for meditation is memorization. Bible memorization organically leads to meditation. A Scripture known experientially and appropriated by the soul spawns strong convictions and courageous living like Martin Luther. Let Reformation Day inspire you to renew your zeal for deep meditation through consistent memorization!
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