1521 was the point of no return for Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformers. 1521 was the year of the final break between Martin Luther and the Roman Catholic Church. April 18, 1521, at 4pm, Luther again stood before the Emperor Charles V and made his reply. Martin Luther refused to renounce the truth of Holy Scripture. He confessed his faith with these well-known words:

“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God, amen!”

The goal of our lives as God’s people is not ease, comfort, and popularity. The goal of our lives is faithfulness to Christ and His Word… no matter what! At times, that faithfulness means that we must speak the truth in love, regardless of the consequences. That’s where Martin Luther found himself in 1521. Faithfulness to Christ is a light that shines in this dark world: it is the light of your words and your actions. In this world, the Light of Christ gets persecuted. In the next, it gets rewarded!

On April 18, 1521, Luther did not think he would live to see another day. In the past, men in his position would be quickly condemned and burned at the stake. But the Lord had different plans. The Gospel would be proclaimed, and brought back to the forefront of the Holy Christian Church. Like Martin Luther and the Reformers in 1521; you too can be bold in your faith in 2022 and say:

Here I stand,
I can do no other,
so help me God,
AMEN!