Martin Luther was a young lawyer in Germany who committed his life to the monastic priesthood after God saved him from lightning storm.

As a monk, Luther continuously sought favor from God by performing rigorous penance (after penance…after penance). This included whipping himself until he bled.

As a church “insider” Luther saw firsthand the abuses in the church that were keeping the truth of God away from the masses. (Two particular abuses were the selling of indulgences and the refusal to let the common people read the Bible.)

Long story short, God’s message of grace broke through to Luther’s heart, and his changed heart could not stand to see God’s message corrupted by the church. He started a little thing we now call the Reformation, which overthrew the church establishment.

Tradition says he nailed his 95 theses (aka 95 beefs he had with the church) to the door on All Hallow’s Eve.

Enjoy having a Bible.

Enjoy reading the Bible in your native tongue.

Enjoy not being frightened into paying money to have your sins for given.

Raise a pint this week to that funny, determined, transformed little monk, named Martin Luther. God used him to save our faith and possibly our lives.