True Christianity

In my recent reading of church history I’ve come across some quotes that are very applicable to today, though written more than four hundred years ago.  In his book, The Pilgrim Church E.H. Broadbent quotes Staupitz, a mentor to young Martin Luther.

“Christ help us that we may come at last to live according to the Gospel which now sounds in our ears and which many have on their lips, for I see that multitudes misuse the Gospel to give liberty to the flesh.   It is the fashion now to separate faith from evangelical life, as though it were possible to have real faith in Christ and yet remain unlike Him in life.” Johann von Staupitz

As Staupitz penned those word he must have had I John 2:6 in mind: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

Luther also challenged people to pious living.

“If we look aright at what people now do who reckon themselves as Evangelical and know how to talk much about Christ, there is nothing behind it.  Most of them deceive themselves. They learn indeed to speak words, as a parrot repeats what people say, but their hearts do not experience them; they remain just as they are, they neither taste nor feel how true and faithful God is.  They boast much of the Gospel and at first seek it earnestly, yet afterwards nothing remains; for they do what they like, follow their lusts, become worse than they were before and are much more undisciplined and presumptuous… than other people….” Martin Luther

One of the verses of “God of Grace and God of Glory” written by Harry E. Fosdick speaks of the lack of holy living:

“Cure Thy children’s warring madness;

Bend our pride to Thy control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom,

Grand us courage,

Less we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,

Less we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.”

 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  Paul the Apostle