Martin Luther Teaches on Faith and Works
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... something to meditate on this Sunday afternoon!
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| Martin Luther 1525 |
I have been trying to explain
true faith and works that follow for years. In my last book, We Have an Altar, I have a chapter
called “Identification with Christ’s Works”, which is one endeavor. I
especially point to the two examples that James gives: That of Abraham, in his
willingness to sacrifice Isaac, and that of Rahab, in hiding the two Israelite
spies. Therefore, I am thankful for Martin Luther’s powerful Introduction to Saint Paul’s Letter to the
Romans, in which he deals with the subject with much more clarity, far beyond
my capabilities.
I have listened to too many
attempts to teach on this subject that sound to me to be exactly like the dead
works that the dead religions teach, only that these teachers think that the
works are done after salvation, instead of before. They lack Holy Spirit
illumination on the subject, misinterpret the Apostle James’ doctrine and, I
suspect, that they lack the experience of the new birth, from which true,
living, gospel works proceed. Luther shows that true faith and its works are
inseparable. It is false faith that cannot, even by supreme effort ever produce
one living work, but has to resort to dead deeds of unbelief. This is important,
so read well this excellent writing...
Faith is not what some people
think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith
is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even
though they speak and hear much about faith. “Faith is not enough,” they say, “You
must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.”
They think that, when you hear
the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart
which says, “I believe.” That is what they think true faith is. But, because
this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it
does nothing and reform doesn’t come from this “faith”, either.
Instead, faith is God’s work in
us that changes us and gives new birth from God (John 1:13). It kills the Old
Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our
spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it.
Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith
cannot help doing good works constantly. It
doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it
already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who
does not do good works in this manner is
an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even
though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and
chatters about faith and good works with many words.
Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a
thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God’s grace
makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures.
The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely,
willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kind of
things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith
and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch
out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who
think they’re smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the
greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever
without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.
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