Giants of the Reformation (3)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. Galatians 5.6, 6.15

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Faith redeems, corrects, and preserves our consciences so that we know that righteousness does not consist in works, although works neither can nor ought to be wanting; just as we cannot be without food or drink and the works of this mortal body, yet our righteousness is not in them, but in faith; and yet those works of the body are not to be despised or neglected on that account.”

Only the person who is truly born again can fulfill the works of love for which we have been created. Unbelievers certainly do many good works, but only by the common grace of God, and only incompletely, as such works are not done for the glory of God (though His glory may be discerned in them, Ps. 68.18; cf. Eph. 4.8). We are redeemed unto good works (Eph. 2.10); we cannot expect God-honoring good works from those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins. However, we certainly should expect such works from those who know Him. Thus, if abundant good works of neighbor-love are missing in our churches, what does this suggest about the true spiritual state of the people? Do they really know the Lord? Have they truly come to the faith that redeems? Are we equipping them as faithfully and effectively as we should?

What would you say to a young pastor to encourage him always to keep the Gospel before his congregation in his preaching and teaching?

T. M. Moore

Pastoral Hope Initiative
Pastor, where are you in your walk with and work for the Lord? Are you growing? Covering all the bases? Working fruitfully toward the Kingdom of God? Our Pastoral Hope Initiative can help you establish a framework and baseline for steady, fruitful growth into the Lord Jesus. We have permanently waived the fee for men who want to work through this 14-week protocol. Watch this brief video, then, if you’re interested, let me hear from you at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christianin John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings(New York: Doubleday, 1962).