"Luther Quotations": 18A
"Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ."
(Galatians 2;16)
In the last TGS Blog (#18) Luther described the first step in becoming a Christian, or how to understand "True Christianity." After measuring ourselves with the perfect standard of God's law and demand for perfection, and coming to the conclusion that we are helpless and hopeless in becoming acceptable to God by our own efforts, Luther then goes on to describe the second step of "true Christianity":
"Then (AFTER COMING TO AN END TO OUR OWN EFFORTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS) we begin to sigh and ask who can help us. When we are terrified by the law (DEMAND FOR ABSOLUTE PERFECTION) like this, we utterly despair of our own strength; we look around for the help of a mediator and saviour. This is the time for the healing word of the gospel: 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven' (Matthew 9;2). Believe in Christ crucified for your sins. If you feel your sins and the burden of them, do not look upon them in yourself, but remember that they have (ALL) been transferred and laid on Christ, whose wounds have healed you (MADE YOU ACCEPTABLE WITH GOD). This is the beginning of health and salvation....By this means (FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE) we are delivered from (THE PUNISHMENT FOR) sin, (MADE BY CHRIST) justified (LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE), and made (BY CHRIST ALONE) inheritors of everlasting life, not because of what we have done to deserve it, but through faith, which (IS THE) way we lay hold of Christ...Faith takes hold of Christ as a ring does a precious stone...This (FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE) is the means and the merit (CHRIST'S MERIT ALONE) by which we attain the forgiveness of sins and (ARE ACCOUNTED) righteous."
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