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Voices of  Orthodox Women

HERE I STAND

On April 17, 1521, the son of a German coal miner stood alone and accused before the court.  The charge was heresy.  At his side was a stack of books.  Seated in front of him was an imposing array of ecclesiastical and imperial princes — each one determined, one way or another, to put an end to the man’s sedition.  He would either recant, or he would die.

As the examination began, the man was asked if he had written the books that were stacked at his side. He whispered,  "The books are all mine, and I have written more." Then came the decisive question, "Are you willing to recant of what you teach in them?" Once again, his answer was spoken softly, "I beg you, give me time to think it over." 

He was given twenty-four hours. 

That night, Martin Luther wrote a poignant and moving prayer. It reveals the soul of a man wrestling desperately with God to find the courage of his convictions. In part, it reads:

"O God, Almighty God everlasting! How dreadful is the world! Behold how its mouth opens to swallow me up, and how small is my faith in Thee! ... If I am to depend upon any strength of this world, all is over... O Lord! Help me! Forsake me not." 
Late the next day, Martin returned to the assembly. This time his voice was strong. At first, he tried to make a speech, but they cut him off.  A simple answer was all they wanted, so they asked him again, "Martin, answer candidly and without horns, do you, or do you not, repudiate your books and the errors which they contain?" 

Luther replied: 

"Since Your Majesty and our lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. 

Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me!" 


And, the rest, as they say, is history. 

Perhaps, the time has come for you and your church courageously to take a stand on your convictions; to draw a line in the sand; to say for everyone to hear: 
 

· If I am to depend upon any strength of this world, all is over; 
· My conscience is captive to the plain teaching of the Word of God; 

· I cannot and will not recant of my conviction that Jesus Christ is the 
  Lord, the only mediator between God and humankind;

· It is neither right nor safe to go against my conscience by denying that 
  God calls every Christian to live a holy and sanctified life;

· Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise; God help me!