Contrary to popular belief, the Reformation did not start with Luther, nor is it encapsulated with Luther. Many before that date (hundreds of years earlier) were engaged in this act of reformation and were tortured and killed AT THE HANDS OF CATHOLICS, AND LATER PROTESTANTS because of this violent pursuit of the Kingdom of God.
Michael Sattler, to me, personifies the spirit of Kingdom Reformation, and it cost him and many others their very lives – violent deaths by those who didn’t like that these bold, yet humble, victorious and obedient saints where willing to disobey the “state” church to rather obey God. I’m so thankful for their witness. Michael was actually accused of denying Transubstantiation and infant baptism (which he didn’t dispute), and as a part of his defense, he replied:
In conclusion: you ministers of God, I admonish you to consider the end for which God has appointed you, to punish the evil, and to defend and protect the pious. Whereas, then, we have not acted contrary to God and the Gospel, you will find that neither I nor my brethren and sisters have offended in word or deed against any authority.
Therefore, you ministers of God, if you have not heard or read the Word of God, send for the most learned, and for the sacred books of the Bible, of whatsoever language they may be, and let them confer with us in the Word of God; and if they prove to us with the Holy Scriptures, that we err and are in the wrong, we will gladly desist and recant and also willingly suffer the sentence and punishment for that of which we have been accused, but if no error is proven to us, I hope to God, that you will be converted, and receive instruction.
He was bold in the Holy Spirit, not afraid to die for the Truth of the Gospel.
May we reform our lives, first, and be a living example to the believers around us, of love, faith, and obedience toward God in Christ. But let us go BACK to the beginning – the beginner and author of our faith, Jesus – rather than Augustine, or an Augustinian Monk (Luther), or Wesley, or anyone else. Because there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved, other than Jesus. Listen to what the King of all kings has commanded:
Mat 7:24-27
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
In doing what Jesus, the Son of God, has commanded, we will feel the sword of division in family, friends, and even Christian fellowship as He came to bring a sword. But we will also feel the healing that comes from drawing close to God and being at PEACE with the Prince of Peace and the Father.
Amen.