September 7, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 27

 

“The world is bound to crucify whatever is of God.”

Martin Luther

 

 

 

Because of sin, it has become acceptable to favor the world and the things of the world. In this light, many have taken liberty to formulate their own gods to replace the one true God. A god who can easily be formed into whatever we need him/her/it to be.

 

 

To do this, they have had to try and crucify the one true God for the benefit of being able to worship at the feet of whatever gods they have formed. “In their case the god(s) of this world have blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

 

 

When Martin Luther speaks of the world here, that is what he is speaking to, the people who have, in their unbelief of the one true God, formed their own worldly gods. Everyone in the world has a god they follow. Unfortunately, for some their god is drugs or fame or fortune. For others it is a conglomeration of many gods that can be formed into a god who does nothing but agree.

 

 

Soon, however, all these other “gods” will be cast out in the final judgement and only God Almighty will be left, “Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). Satan, the ruler of this world, the one who convinces his victims to form and follow their own gods, will see his end and all the world will rejoice.

 

 

Despite its many faults, God loves the world and all who are in it, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Despite it turning its back on Him, God’s love for His creation has never waned. His love is as great today as the day they were formed. Not even sin could turn our Heavenly Father away from us.

 

 

Because of this, we have hope in something much better to come where the war of gods will not be present. Only the one true God will remain to offer His light of love just as He has for all time, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

 

 

Today, find a way to communicate to others that you follow only one God, our Great and merciful God, Jehovah.

 

 

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your patience with the world and for Your love that has never decreased. Help us to share that love as we share the message of salvation that can only be found in You. Amen.