Dear Members and Friends of our ELS:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,” says the writer of Proverbs (27:17). Who would underestimate the value of friendship in giving good advice and wise counsel during challenging and testing times? We all can remember a person or persons in our lives that the Lord has used to provide influence, direction and persuasion at just the right time.

This was also the case in the life of Martin Luther. We tend to view Dr. Luther as the one who influenced many others. Yet there was a time especially in his early years when he was desperately in need of “iron sharpening iron.” God providentially put a person in his path at the precise point when a powerful impact was necessary on the mind of the reformer. That man was Johann von Staupitz.

Luther stated that it was Staupitz, his predecessor and father confessor at the University of Wittenberg, who first beamed the light of the Gospel on the darkness of his heart. Staupitz told Luther: “You tell me the thing that worries you so terribly is that God is angry with you. Let me tell you what’s the trouble with you. You can’t get that picture out of your mind of Christ seated upon a rainbow with a fierce frown upon his face coming to the last judgment. Do not always think of Christ as an angry judge. Think of Christ as the loving Savior who suffered for our sins.” By directing Luther to Christ and His saving grace, the powerful seeds of the Gospel were developing roots. Luther later reflected on the influence of Staupitz: “If God through Doctor Staupitz had not helped me out, I would have long been in hell.” (These citations can be found in Kuiper’s Martin Luther: The Formative Years.) Sadly, this father-figure teacher who assisted Luther did not himself have the moral courage to support his young friend once the moment for papal scrutiny arrived.

In this Reformation month of October it would be good for each of us to think and thank. Think of the people through whom God exerted a spiritual impact on our own lives. Thank God for these parents, pastors, teachers, coaches and friends who played a critical role in bringing us through formative and challenging times. The Holy Spirit has likely used various individuals to draw even us to the life-changing Gospel.

Is the Lord now using us for an influence? Are we aware of the many opportunities He sets before us to shape young minds? We pray that Jesus’ words remind us of the iron sharpening occurring in our shops: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).