Grace, the Noblest Message

No nobler message exists than that of grace and the forgiveness of sin. Yet we are such wretched folk that if anyone has once heard or read this message, he knows it and is soon master and doctor. Thereupon he looks for something higher, as though he had finished all that, and creates new sects and schisms.

I have now studied these subjects for many years and have concerned myself with them with all diligence (more than any of those who imagine they know it all) in preaching, writing, reading, etc. Nevertheless, I cannot glory in my mastery and must be glad to remain a pupil with those who are just beginning to learn. Therefore I must admonish and warn all who desire to be Christians, both teachers and pupils, to guard themselves against this shameful notion and satiety. And let them know that it (to appreciate grace) is the supreme and most difficult art one can find on earth, so that even St. Paul must confess and say that it is an unspeakable gift (2 Cor. 9:15), which one cannot so picture to people in words that they regard it as noble and precious as it is in itself.

To do so is impossible because reason cannot rise above its external piety, which consists in works, nor comprehend the righteousness of faith. On the contrary, the nobler and wiser it is, the more it wants to cling to works and base itself on them. And when his conscience is stricken in temptation and trouble, no man can keep from looking about in search of works on which he may rest and stand. Then one looks for, and enumerates, so many good works which one should gladly do or have done. But because one finds that none were done, the heart begins to tremble and despair. This habit clings to us so closely that even those who have faith or know grace and the forgiveness of sin cannot with all their effort and labor work themselves out of it but must daily battle against it.... The others, wiseacres and untried souls, are entirely drowned in this habit.

Source: Quoted in Ewald M. Plass, What Luther Says, A Practical In-home Theology for the Active Christian. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 1959 Edition, 10th Printing (1994), p. 610-11.