Best .99 I ever spent....

The time I've spent reading some of Martin Luther's writings has been time well spent. I have found that he opens my eyes to aspects of the Christian faith that I've never thought of. I've also found him immensely reassuring in my walk with the Lord. He says:

For as long as I live in the flesh, sin is truly in me. But because I am covered under the shadow of Christ's wings, as is the chicken under the wing of the hen, and dwell without all fear under that most ample and large heaven of the forgiveness of sins, which is spread over me, God covereth and pardoneth the remnant of sin in me: that is to say, because of that faith wherewith I began to lay hold upon Christ, he accepteth my imperfect righteousness even for perfect righteousness, and counteth my sin for no sin, which notwithstanding is sin indeed. (Commentary on Galatians, p.129)

This is wonderful imagery. I love the image of us taking shelter under God's wings, and being covered with His forgiveness and having His righteousness credited to me, even though I've done nothing to deserve it. Luther just makes this all the more clearer, and I'm taking great comfort in realizing that I'm not the only one who struggles with sin. Until the Lord returns, we all will struggle with it.

He that believeth has as great sin as the unbeliever. But to him that believeth, it is forgiven and not imputed: to the unbeliever it is not pardoned but imputed. ...For the believer assureth himself by faith that his sin is forgiven him, forasmuch as Christ hath given himself for it. Therefore although he have sin in him and daily sinneth, yet he continueth godly: but contrariwise, the unbeliever continueth wicked. (p.152)

So even though we are sinners, because we believe we don't have to pay the eternal consequences of our sins (there may be immediate consequences, however). In other words, even though we sin every day, yet God still counts us as godly, as our sins our covered by His blood...could there be any better news than this?

Thank you, Mr. Luther, for being bold enough and smart enough to search out the truth, and for following the calling God gave you even though it cost you dearly!