We enjoyed learning some church history this year in our “Rome through the Renaissance” Middle Ages history unit. The most interesting topic was learning the basics of the Reformation of the 1500’s. As someone whom God saved -via the Scriptures- out of the Roman Catholic Church, I’m very thankful for the men God raised up in Europe to bring His Word to people who previously did not have access to the Truth of the Gospel, but were instead taught they could be saved by performing religious works and paying money to The Church, and that righteousness was bestowed upon them by The Church. The stories of the martyrs who helped get God’s Word into the hands of common people was most inspiring. Here is a hymn that illustrates some precious Bible Truth that people discovered as God’s Word shed Light on the spiritual darkness that is false teaching.
Justification by faith, not by works.
by Isaac Watts
Rom. 3:19-22.
Vain are the hopes the sons of men
On their own works have built;
Their hearts by nature all unclean,
And all their actions guilt.
Let Jew and Gentile stop their mouths
Without a murm’ring word,
And the whole race of Adam stand
Guilty before the Lord.
In vain we ask God’s righteous law
To justify us now;
Since to convince and to condemn
Is all the law can do.
Jesus, how glorious is thy grace!
When in thy name we trust,
Our faith receives a righteousness
That makes the sinner just.
Lyrics from Marytrs from the album Storiez by shai linne
The Time: 1536
The Place: Outside of Brussels
The Martyr: William Tyndale
(Evangel)
I refuse to look to John Huss whose goose was cooked
Lord, I wanna put your truth in books
Now concerning my faith no turning away
I know eternity awaits even if I’m burned at the stake
Like avoiding their attacks of me would profit me
Great Whore that could be properly the papacy and prophecy
They say the Pope’s the holiest
Only if these people could see its phoniness and Scripturally erroneous
The Pope of men fail to respect- they wanna seek death
of William Tyndale so then I inhale a deep breath
Two doors- my hands push
As I stride inside I was grabbed by men hiding- it’s an ambush!
I was sabotaged- he was disguised and camouflaged
As a friend of me- I didn’t know he was the enemy
Now through discerning, I see this group is yearning
With ill will to kill bill like Uma Thurman
It’s a chaotic frenzy as they plot against me
Hey if God defends me or ends me- He’ll soon determine
Now I plead for these people (forgive ‘em!) they grieve Your cathedral
I don’t wanna repay evil for evil
When I’m weak I’m made strong- got my brave face on
We’re sheep for the slaughter being killed all the day long
I’ll never be a man-pleaser
No matter how tight the grip of the hand squeezer
I can’t breathe- I’ll stand with Jesus
Even if plans are grievous as they try to put me to sleep like anesthesia
Now I’m gagging and gasping- I’m sold out for You
No doubt this noose won’t choke out the truth
And leave a lasting legacy- cats who would never read
your Word after the death of me cats can cleverly
get pass the heresy and grab for this weaponry
Your sword- now Lord I pass to the heavenlies
Here’s the link to these lyrics
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgvm3fkq_37ddn3ttg7
I’m so happy to find your blog! It is rare to find people committed to sharing the gospel- especially other women who are passionate about street evangelism. Subscribing to your blog now…
Blessings,
Jenny
Jenny welcome! I look forward to getting to “know you online” and mutually encouraging one another (Heb.10:25) through our blogs. : )
God bless you as you serve Jesus with all your heart.