"Salvation by faith alone." Martin Luther did not always believe that. If he had, he might never have gone into the priesthood.

Many of you know that famous story. The year was 1505. Luther was traveling from his home to the university at Erfurt, Germany. In his heart he was struggling with his relationship with God. Would he be acceptable if he were to appear before the Judgement seat of God? He wondered. Suddenly a violent thunderstorm filled the sky. A bolt of lightning struck. He was thrown breathless and terrified to the ground. He cried out: "Saint Anna, save me!" He was so fearful he made a vow: if his life were spared, he would become a monk.

That's not so uncommon, is it? Is there anyone of us who has not made a promise to God in a time of great distress? Luther was a young man …