How the reformers give hope to the church today

I sank deeper into our couch as I read headline after headline on my phone. Articles about upcoming elections, global conflicts, and natural disasters sent me into a spiral of anxiety. I wondered how the church could remain faithful to Christ in such a confusing, corrupt, and hopeless time.

My kids interrupted my doom scrolling with a stack of books and pleading looks in their eyes. We had just borrowed books from the library about Reformation Day and the Reformers.

I put my phone away and my kids made themselves comfortable on the couch next to me. When I opened the first picture book, I read about Martin Luther. In a world of political and religious tension, Christ helped him to stand for the truth and endure persecution. I read about the young Queen Joan of Navarre, who courageously used her reign to spread the gospel despite opposition from her family. I read about William Tyndale, who gave his life to make the Bible available in English to all people.

The more I read, the more hope and courage replaced my fear and anxiety. I have long enjoyed learning about church history and reading biographies of heroes of the faith. Stories from past Christian believers can strengthen our current faithfulness and strengthen our hope for the future.

Present encouragement from former Christians

Our generation may face unique struggles, but believers of all times and cultures have had to fight against sin, defend the truth, and endure persecution. Even in these tense and turbulent days, we can hold fast to the security, confidence, and hope we have in Christ by remembering his faithfulness in supporting his people throughout church history.

The history of the church shows the sovereign rule of God

When you watch newscasters comment on global politics and crises, it's tempting to believe that world leaders ultimately decide the future of our country and even the Church. However, Proverbs 21:1 reminds us: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he wants.”

We see God's sovereignty over kings clearly throughout Bible and church history, particularly in how God uses worldly leaders to bring about his blessings and judgment. God allowed the German nobility (including those with selfish motives) to protect Luther and spread his teachings. God used King Henry VIII's sinful desire for a divorce to separate England from Roman Catholicism, which opened the door to the Reformation. When political leaders—often Christian—persecuted the Anabaptists, God worked through their martyrdom and preserved their pursuit of religious freedom, which influenced many modern churches.

Our generation may face unique struggles, but believers of all times and cultures have had to fight against sin, defend the truth, and endure persecution.

Even ungodly leaders who did evil could not destroy God's providential plan to grow His Church. We can take courage when evil forces reign, because God is still enthroned in heaven, carrying out His will for our good and His glory.

The history of the Church reminds us of our true citizenship

The reformers didn't do everything right. After escaping persecution, the Lutherans persecuted the Anabaptists because of their stance on religious freedom. When Tyndale's Bible translation was finally accepted, only merchants and aristocrats were allowed to read it. Reformers often used their newfound power to commit violence against Catholics.

We can learn from both the faithfulness and mistakes of past Christians. What if Lutherans had appreciated the Anabaptists’ emphasis on discipleship? What if the Anabaptists had learned from the boldness of the Lutherans in the secular world? How much more of Christ's love would they have been if they had worked together?

Paul appealed to the Corinthian church to prioritize their identity in Christ over their affiliation with a particular leader so that “there would be no divisions among them” and that they would be “united in the same mind and judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10 ).

We can find strength in our current culture by associating with believers who are united with us in Christ, even when they disagree with us or differ from us.

The history of the church inspires hope for future generations

Parents often repeat the fear: “What kind of world will our children live in?” Christian parents can recognize the current evolution of the culture and fear that future generations will experience hardship and persecution that they cannot endure.

While recent research shows that church attendance and religious affiliation are declining in America, a broader look at church history encourages believers that “the gates of hell will not prevail against the church of Christ” (Matt. 16:18). Our current age and culture can present unique difficulties that previous generations did not face. But Christ has always worked in His people to help them endure persecution, remain holy, and correct heresies.

God raised Luther up to correct the false doctrine of indulgences. God called John Calvin to remind His people of their sovereignty in the midst of powerful world leaders. God empowered the Baptists to demonstrate the importance of personal devotion to Christ. The same God who supported these reformers as they fought against the core of the culture will support His people today until He brings us home to glory.

Our Western world may become more hostile to Christianity in the future, but we need not worry, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Look to Christ throughout history

The Reformation was a turning point not only in church history, but also in world history. Five hundred years from now, believers may look back on the past few decades as a similar turning point for the Western world and the church. But in doing so, they will see God's hand protecting and purifying His people as He reigns sovereign over leaders and culture.

The same God who supported the Reformers as they fought against the core of culture will support His people today until He brings us home to glory.

As we look back on our rich church history, we can have confidence, security and hope today and in the future. “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (12:1)—from every generation and culture—who remind us of God’s sovereignty, our eternal citizenship, and our unshakable future.

When fear and anxiety tempt us to forget our Christian identity, God's power, and the hope of heaven, let us turn off the news and turn to the pages of church history. Then we can “run with endurance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (vv. 1-2).