Giants of the Reformation (3)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2.12

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Therefore there is need of the prayer that the Lord may give us and make us theodidacti, that is, those taught by God, and himself, as he has promised, write his law in our hearts; otherwise there is no hope for us. If he himself does not teach our hearts this wisdom hidden in mystery, nature can only condemn it and judge it to be heretical because nature is offended by it and regards it as foolishness.”

Luther leaves his best word for last: Only God, by His Spirit, can teach and transform us for good works of love; thus, the pastor’s best work is to pray faithfully that his people may all be taught of Christ, and to teach and equip them according to the Spirit’s plan for building the church (Eph. 4.11-16). If we do not connect our people with Jesus in a daily, deepening walk with Him, we aren’t really doing them any good; and any “good” they might do apart from such a relationship, will always fall short of glorifying God. Only Jesus can truly teach and change the self-centered hearts of inveterate sinners. Unless God’s people are taught of Christ, and freed from the bonds of sin and self, they will never truly learn, and never truly become disciples or followers of Christ, loving God and neighbor as the Law intends.

Would you say that your prayer for the members of your church – all the members – is as full and consistent as it ought to be?

T. M. Moore

If Men Will Pray
Certainly, if we can increase prayer among the members of our churches, good works should increase as well. Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christianin John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings(New York: Doubleday, 1962).