What can Argula Stauffen von Grumbach, a 15th-century retiree, teach us today?
Argula was born in 1492, Germany, and belonged to the Bavarian nobility. At the age of 10, she received a very rare Koberger Bible from her father, which made her an insatiable reader of the Bible.
- In 1516 he married Frederico von Grumbach.
- With whom he had four children.
- And in 1529 she became a widow.
- After three years.
- Argula remarried to a Protestant count.
- With whom he had three other children and of whom he became a widower in 1535.
Argula longed to read and read the Bible, because she longed for the Word, rivers of living water flowed in her life.
Jesus said unto him, He that drinks from this water shall be thirsty again; But he who drinks from the water which I give him will not be thirsty again; on the contrary, the water I give you will be a source that will flow into eternal life. John 4: 13-14
Faithful and permanent reading of the Word of God gave this young Christian the tools to handle the Word and discuss and counter the princes. The Lord said that he himself, the Holy Ghost, would be with us to instruct us to speak.
But when the Spirit of truth comes, it will guide you through all the truth; because he won’t speak for himself, but he’ll say everything he’s heard and announce to you what’s to come. John 16:13
But before all these things, they will be imprisoned and persecuted, handing them over to synagogues and prisons, bringing them into the presence of kings and governors, by my name; and it will happen to you to testify. So make sure in your heart not to worry about what you’re going to answer; because I will give you a mouth and a wisdom that you will not be able to resist or contradict all who oppose you. Luke 21. 12-15
Exchanged correspondences of doctrinal theological content
Writing public brochures (about 30,000 copies)
Argula used the knowledge she had acquired from reading the Bible to write to people about theology and doctrines. Writing is an instrument for the word of God to spread where it cannot always be preached. Writing can also be a tool used by the Holy Ghost to clarify how the Apostle Paul and many other prolific writers have taught us, Argula has contributed to the advancement of divine truths with his writings.
The Holy Ghost needs resources to use us as useful tools, and if we are not constantly exposed to sound doctrine through reading, study, interpretation, and listening, we will certainly be exposed to the world, and the world forms us in the form of its father, the evil And no, I am neither legalistic nor fundamentalist, I just want you to realize that if your mind is not transformed by the Word , is transformed by something other than always the truth, but these are lies that catch us and cause our thoughts to sink into doubt and disbelief. The spirit according to the world leaves our conscience so insensitive that we rejoice in our own sins and do not repent.
Argula courageously refuted heresies and used the scriptures as the basis for her arguments. Fearlessness comes from the Holy Spirit, it is the gift of the Lord to advance us, for we have no shy spirit!However, the basis of Argula’s audacity was knowledge of the scriptures.
For God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love, and moderation; therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord 2 Timothy 1,7-8
The Lord is our strength, He gives us conviction, discernment and wisdom, it is Emmanuel, He is among us, He convinces us by his Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Hallelujah!
But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who comes from him, he will bear witness to me; and you’ll testify too, because you’ve been with me the whole time.
Argula was accused of being a negligent wife
Marriage to a Catholic had disadvantages for his ministry and persecution; However, adversity made her a woman of the Word when she turned to the Savior for resources to withstand stumbles and remain faithful.
Even if our outside man is slit, our inner man is renewed day by day, it is grace, the grace of our Lord for those who seek him. Therefore, we are not discouraged; on the contrary, even if our outside man is corrupted, our inner man is renewed day by day, because our light and momentary tribulation gives us an eternal weight of glory, especially of comparison, without paying attention to what is seen, but to what is not seen; because those who see thee are temporal, and those who do not see thee are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
Argula was abandoned by her husband and had to handle debts inherited from her relationship, as well as maintaining her and her young children’s living environment.
Abandoned, indebted, but not defeated, because our Lord has promised us that He will never leave us and that nothing will be lost.
Under no circumstances will I leave you, I will never leave you. Heb 13. 5
And my God, according to his richness of glory, will provide, in Jesus Christ, for each of your needs (Phil 4:19).
We preach the Word that is madness to those who do not believe, perfume for those who have life and smell of death for those who do not believe.
Certainly, the word of the cross is madness for those who are lost, but for us those who are saved, power of God 1 Corinthians 1,18
For we are the good smell of Christ for God, both in those who are saved and in those who are lost. To them, it smells like death to death; towards them, a lifelong scent of life. Who, however, is enough for these things?
Argula left a legacy as a Christian, biblical and reformist woman. Biblical knowledge, love, and commitment to the reformed cause were his hallmarks.
We all left a legacy as a Christian woman. In my church, we had a sister who left her mark: JoAnna had the mark of christ’s cross, loving, devoted, jealous, fearful of the Lord, comforting, funny, with the good smell of Christ.
What you are today is an example to the Body of Christ. We are this living letter that glorifies the Lord, and there is always someone who looks at us, who wants to be who we are and do what we do.
I alone cannot be that fragrant person, with the smell of life, if the grace of Our Lord does not pour out into my soul; I cannot simply believe that everything I do without the power of God can become an example of sanctification; without the means of grace, we can’t be anything.
My sincere prayer is that you, reader, can today, by grace, be more careful in your life of devotion and enjoy every moment in his presence.
By: Renata Gandolfo. © 2017, Let’s Return to the Gospel. Website: voltemosaoevangelho. com Translated with permission. Source: Argula Stauffen von Grumbach, the first Protestant writer, © faithful of the Department. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br All rights are reserved.