"Luther Quotations": #19
"So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law..."." (Galatians 2;16)
Most believing Christians would disagree with Luther, opposing him by saying something like this:
"But I have been taught by my priest (minister) that to be acceptable to
God and to go to heaven I must do good works (follow Christ's example)!
Sure, Christ has to do his part, but don't I have to do my part?? To be
justified by Christ alone is far too easy!"
Hear Luther explain the Apostle Paul's words from Galatians 2;16 quoted above:
"Here we must stand, and not upon the wicked interpretation of those
who say that faith justifies when love and good works are combined with
it. That interpretation obscures this (PASSAGE) and similar sentences
in Paul in which he clearly attributes justification solely to faith in Christ.
When people hear that they should believe in Christ, yet faith only justifies
if it is formed and accompanied by works of love, eventually they fall from
faith and think along these lines,'If faith without love does not justify,
then faith is empty and pointless, and only love in action justifies, for faith
is nothing without love.' ...
By this false interpretation they have not only perverted Paul's words but
have also denied Christ and buried all the benefits he brings us. We
must, therefore, avoid this misstatement as a most deadly and devilish
poison and conclude with Paul that we are justified not by faith combined
with love, but by faith (IN CHRIST COMPLETELY AND)alone."
Christians response to Paul:
"Then what is the point of all my good works and efforts?? Are they
all in vain??"
Luther's response:
"Of course, we must also teach good works and love, but it must be
done in the right time and place- that is, when we are dealing with works,
not justification. Here the question is how are we justified and attain
eternal life, and so we reject and condemn all good works, for this
passage will not allow any argument based on good works...when
dealing with justification, it is not the time or place to speak about the
law (OUR WORKS, EFFORTS, AND OBEDIENCE)..."
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