Only One Step Is Needed

About 486 years ago a devoted Catholic monk by the name of Martin Luther stood trial before a religious tribunal in the city of Worms, Germany. Luther faced torture, imprisonment, and possibly even death because he no longer could accept the false teachings of the Catholic church in regard to salvation by works.

Luther had been a very devout monk. One day while climbing the Scala Sancta on bloody knees Luther had a spiritual awakening. Climbing the Scala Sancta was a common act of penance for a devout monk. It was in this act of penance, with the false hope of gaining favor with God by such an act, that the Holy Spirit brought to Luther’s mind a verse from the Book of Romans. It stated simply and directly, “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).

The Scala Sancta' or Holy Stairs, consist of twenty-eight white marble steps, now encased by wooden steps, located at Rome. According to tradition, the staircases were part of the praetorium of Pilate in Jerusalem, hence were sanctified by the footsteps of Jesus Christ during his Passion. The climbing of the Scala Sancta is a fitting metaphor for the false hope a person puts in good works; for, after the painful climb up the steps, one is no closer to God than when one started. False hope is really no hope at all. In regard to salvation, only one step is needed--surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

This was a pivotal moment in Luther’s life that would lead to what history records as The Reformation. Based upon that simple understanding of what was true, Luther risked his life. At his trial when pressed to change his views by a court that held his life in their hands Luther declared, “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.” Luther shines as a brilliant example of what it means to Do Church Right. A community that is doing church right will risk all to defend the non-negotiable truths of God’s Word.

In a day when Christian faith is under so many attacks and so much false doctrine has crept into the church, may God awaken more hearts as He did with Martin Luther.