Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
We are not to look upon our sins as insignificant trifles. On the other hand, we are not to regard them as so terrible that we must despair. Learn to believe that Christ was given, not for picayune and imaginary transgressions, but for mountainous sins; not for one or two, but for all; not for sins that can be discarded, but for sins that are stubbornly ingrained.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages a balanced view of sin, recognizing its seriousness while also emphasizing the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice for all sins.
Martin Luther's quote highlights the importance of understanding the nature of sin in a nuanced way. He warns against dismissing sins as trivial, as they hold significance and weight in our spiritual lives. Yet, he also reassures us that despair is unwarranted, as Christ's atonement extends to even the gravest of sins. This underscores a duality in dealing with our moral failings: acknowledging their depth without succumbing to hopelessness, and finding strength in the belief that forgiveness is available for all who seek it.
Themes
SinForgivenessRedemptionChristDespair
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a sermon to illustrate the nature of sin and grace.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes βNow if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
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Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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