I have to thank you for Ichabod's link to Luther's sermons. Incredible stuff!
It is striking to see how clear Luther is in pronouncing the true Gospel of
"salvation by faith". Yet, in spite of Luther's clarity, today's UOJ fanatics
claim him as an ally in their battle against God-given faith.
Below, from Vol. 3 of Luther's sermons, page 207, Luther speaks clearly:
Those without belief in Christ have already been condemned. It is simply
impossible to reconcile Luther's words with UOJ, and yet the fanatics claim him
as their champion. They are shameless in their deception and
dishonesty.
Your efforts are having an impact! Please keep posting the "Good News" of
salvation by faith in Christ.
Pax,
A Reader
“But he that disbelieveth shall
be condemned.”
55. Here you have the final
judgment against the boasting pride and self-
praise of the Jews and of all
the world. As the first part of the text with oneword opens heaven, closes hell
and sets aside Moses and the threats of the Law for those who believe, so
Christ here with one word, closes heaven, leaves open the jaws of hell,
permits death to reign and Moses to be an intolerable tyrant for all that
disbelieve. For this there is and shall be no help, though you, like the
Jews, torment yourself to death in keeping the Law, even torturing and
burdening yourselves, saying: Did I not do many good works and even suffer
much? Alas, here you have the decision: “He that disbelieveth shall be
condemned.”
56. Even though man
accomplishes all that he possibly can, yet without
Christ, everything has already
been concluded under sin and God’s wrath; as we heard in the Gospel of
St. John, that the Holy Spirit will convict the world in respect of sin,
because they believe not etc.
John 16:8. Here, in the text we
are considering, the judgment of condemnation is already pronounced on the world,
together with all its righteousness of the Law and religious service. No one
on earth can escape this judgment, nor be rescued from condemnation,
except by hearing and believing this message, which says that those who
believe in this Lord and Savior shall not be condemned because of their
sins, but shall, because of him, have forgiveness of sins and life
eternal.
Christ says, in John 3:16, that
“God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that
whosoever believeth on him should not perish” etc.
“For God sent not the Son into
the world to judge the world; but that the
world should be saved through
him.” John 3:17. Therefore, “He that
believeth on him is not
judged,” but “he that believeth not,” says he, “hath
been judged already.” John
3:18. This judgment of condemnation
remains upon him because of his
disbelieving, imputing all sins to him,
which cannot be forgiven. Thus
he increases his sin and makes his
condemnation the stronger; in
addition to all ether sins, he also despises
Christ by not believing in
him.
Vol. 3 of Luther's sermons, page 207
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GJ -
I appreciate all the encouragement. At first, I thought, "Woowee, I posted all of the Lenker edition of Luther's sermons." Later I realized sermons should be out front each week, all the better to cite in sermons.
Many have expressed their appreciation of the Luther sermons appearing each week on this blog and also on Facebook. No one dares to oppose Justification by Faith, although they could by emailing me or by responding on Facebook. That does not mean they are convinced by the Word, only that they no longer imagine defeating Christian doctrine with their lies and puerile insults.
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| "Luther on faith, or Scaer? I will get back to you on this." |
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Can't get enough of this stuff! More from the same sermon.
71. However, Christ is not silent upon the point, to whom will he
grant
salvation. He says: “He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” And again: “He that disbelieveth
shall be condemned.” Naught else can help or hinder; no difference of person
or station avails; one being is as dear to him as another. Only that one
believes and desires baptism, will avail to save. All who are disciples or
hearers of this message must so learn.
72. Preachers and teachers must
see to it that they preach and teach
faithfully, and, as St. Paul
says, shrink not from declaring the whole
counsel of God, Acts 20:27,
that the hearers may know what God
demands and has decreed
concerning them. All the world has always
desired, searched and sought to
know this, but no one ever attained such
knowledge, till it was revealed
from heaven through Christ. It is embodied
in this message. We should no
longer seek nor expect any other revelation.
Here it may be clearly
perceived that the Gospel itself is witness that the
Word of preaching and the
sacraments are the means by which you may
know God’s decree concerning
yourself. If you believe the message, you
shall be saved. But if you do
not believe, then it is also decreed that you
shall come under the judgment
of condemnation, no matter how earnestly
you may have sought, by your
works and deeds, to obtain salvation.
Though you had accomplished all
the works and wonders of angels and
men, it would be unavailing.
The whole world is hereby divided into two
classes, entirely separated
from each other, the one for heaven and the
other for hell. On the last day
no other judgment shall be pronounced than that in accordance with this
message, namely, the reward of belief or
disbelief.
