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The Most Important Book of the Bible (according to Luther)

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This year has been a very special year for the Protestant Church around the world, given that this October 31 we will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, the German monk Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, within the Holy Roman Empire, denouncing publicly the corruption of the church of his days. This event gave rise to what is known as the Protestant Reformation from which the strongest branches of evangelicalism have emerged, including Pietism and the Methodist movement, where Pentecostalism is rooted.

Most biographers of Martin Luther have pointed out that Romans was the book that opened Luther’s eyes to the truth of the Gospel that states that man is saved by faith alone. In his preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, written in 1545, Luther wrote:

“This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.”

Today, 500 years after, while we prepare ourselves to celebrate the roots of our Protestant faith, I invite you to meditate in the words of this Augustinian German monk and immerse yourself in the study of the book of Romans. In this book, you will find the simplicity and depth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has transformed and continues to transform our lives.

If you would like to know more about Martin Luther’s life, I invite you to watch this documentary: “A Man Named Martin Luther”

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Why do Christians suffer?

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One of the most important chapters of the book of Romans is undoubtedly chapter 5. In this chapter we can learn the secret of how to be able to rejoice in any situation. In this passage the word rejoice appears three times in verses 2, 3, and 11. This word is key to understand the whole fifth chapter of Romans since here Paul is revealing to us the results of having been justified by faith (the central theme of chapter 4). Thus, this chapter helps us to understand the privilege we Christians have to rejoice in our spiritual position. Our faith in the work of Christ Jesus on the cross enables us to rejoice in our future hope, to rejoice in the midsts of our sufferings, and to rejoice in God Himself. The love of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 5:5), and the work of salvation that Christ accomplished on the cross (Romans 5:11) allow us now to enjoy peace with God and instant and continual access to His Throne in Heaven.

Now, one thing is to rejoice in our hope of glory and in our mighty God, but I know that for almost all of us to rejoice in the midsts of sufferings and afflictions could be really burdensome. I personally think that one of the most challenging questions we pastors receive quite often is the question: Why do Christians suffer? Or in a more personal way: Why has God allowed this to happen? I’ve been there so I do understand those who struggle with these interrogations.

This is a very difficult question to handle especially when it comes from someone who is suffering a great loss such as the death of a relative or a terminal illness. Now the reality is that many people come to Christ with the notion that since God loves us He will never allow us to go through any trial, crisis, or difficult moment. Our Western philosophy has greatly influenced our theology to the point that today we could find thousands of Christians in America who incorrectly believe that God’s desire is just to make their lives easy and comfortable. But the Scriptures teaches us something different.

Scriptures clearly teaches that God loves those who are His children, and He “works all things together for good” for us (Romans 8:28). Trusting in this promise we can know then that the present afflictions and tribulations He allows in our lives are just part of the working together of all things for good. Therefore, for us who believe in Christ Jesus, all trials and tribulations must have a divine purpose. And what is that divine purpose? As in all things, God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son Jesus” (Romans 8:29).

This is the goal of the Christian, and everything in life, including the trials and tribulations, is designed to enable us to reach that goal. When we realize that this is the true purpose of our lives then we will be able to rejoice in God in any circumstance.