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Martyred for the Gospel

Martyred for the Gospel
The burning of Tharchbishop of Cant. D. Tho. Cranmer in the town dich at Oxford, with his hand first thrust into the fyre, wherwith he subscribed before. [Click on the picture to see Cranmer's last words.]

Daily Bible Verse

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Luther on Owning Your Sinfulness and Rejecting Lawlessness

Luther's commentary on Luke 18:9-14,  The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

43. Therefore see to it, that you properly follow this publican, and become like him. Namely, in the first place, that you be not a false but a real sinner; not only in words but in reality and from the heart acknowledge yourself worthy before God of his wrath and eternal punishment, and bring before him in truth these words, "me a poor sinner;" but in the same flight lay hold of the other words: "Be thou merciful to me," by which words you take away the point and edge of the law and thus cast and turn from you the judgment and condemnation the law seeks to force upon you.

44. From this distinction in the two kinds of sinners you are able to form a correct estimate of both sides. God is indeed unmerciful and an enemy to sinners, to those who do not want to be sinners, that is, those who do not fear the wrath of God, but who yet continue in their security and do not wish to be punished. Again, God will be merciful to poor sinners, who feel their sins, and confess that they are condemned before the judgment of God. Thus here all is turned about according to the word and judgment of God, just as the persons are; so that the ten commandments gain this interpretation, and they pass sentence upon those who wish to be holy, or do not want to be accused as sinners, and never think that such judgment strikes them. But the Gospel and sentence of grace and comfort pass upon those lying in the terror and fear of death.

45. Again, you must be like the publican in this, that you henceforth forsake sin, for it is not said of him that be continued as he was before, but went forth and applied grace to his own heart, so that God declared him righteous, as the text says: "This man went down to his house justified." These words do not conclude that he remained in his sin, as he did not go into the temple and pray for that; for whoever desires to continue in sin cannot pray for grace and forgiveness, but he who prays thus thinks, wishes and desires to be just and entirely free from sin. This you must know so that you do not deceive yourself. For there are many who only consider that the publican as a sinner receives grace and forgiveness, and do not think that God requires that they should forsake sin, and let the grace received be henceforth powerful in their lives. But some want to understand it as though God saves sinners in a way that they may still remain in sin and unrighteousness.

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Reasonable Christian Blog Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 1662 Book of Common Prayer

1 comment:

Charlie J. Ray said...

Unfortunately for you it seems that you do not understand that ALL have missed the mark. Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-9; Psalm 143:2; Psalm 130:3.

If you would read the entire Bible instead of taking one verse out of context, you would see that EVERYONE deserves hell. That would include yourself. Those who think their own good works will justify them on the Judgment Day will wind up in hell with all the other Pharisees who justify themselves by works:

Romans 10:1-4; Matthew 7:21-23

May God grant you the grace to admit you are a sinner and to cry out to Him for mercy. Justice would require that God damns everyone since everyone has sinned. Mercy is God not giving us what we all deserve. Of course, only those who are given the new birth will actually repent and believe. John 3:3-8

Charlie

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