As a Catholic priest, the great reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) was plagued with a sense of his own unrighteousness and inability to please God. It seemed the more he did the deeper he sank into depression and guilt.
Luther’s life was dramatically changed, however, as he meditated on Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: `The righteous will live by faith.’”
God quickened the meaning of that powerful Scripture to his understanding:
The righteousness needed to please God is a GIFT from Him, appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
Luther understood that no one can be made right in God’s sight through personal effort, no matter how noble his works might be. Our salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone.
Luther’s “revelation” is a reminder that every good thing we have is bestowed by our loving heavenly Father — everything. I wonder: Have you received His gift of life everlasting through faith in Jesus alone? Doing so is as simple as ABC!
A — ADMIT that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. To “admit” means to agree with. The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) So, you must agree with God that you are a sinner.
B — BELIEVE that Jesus is the only Savior available. Of Himself, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) So there is one Savior from sin: Jesus Christ — period!
C — CHOOSE to follow Christ. Place your faith in Him alone then, with God’s help, determine you will change your mind about how you plan to live the rest of your life: Jesus will now be in charge!