The Righteousness of Faith

6.2

The Justification of Sinners

6.3

The Sanctification of Sinners

We believe that this true faith, produced in us by the hearing of God's Word and by the work of the Holy Spirit, regenerates us and makes us new creatures, (2 Cor. 5:17) causing us to live a new life (Rom. 6:4) and freeing us from the slavery of sin. Therefore, far from making people cold toward living in a pious and holy way, this justifying faith, quite to the contrary, so works within them that apart from it they will never do a thing out of love for God but only out of love for themselves and fear of being condemned. So then, it is impossible for this holy faith to be unfruitful in a human being, seeing that we do not speak of an empty faith but of what Scripture calls "faith working through love," (Gal. 5:6) which moves people to do by themselves the works that God has commanded in the Word. These works, proceeding from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable to God, since they are all sanctified by God's grace. Yet they do not count toward our justification- for by faith in Christ we are justified, even before we do good works. Otherwise they could not be good, any more than the fruit of a tree could be good if the tree is not good in the first place. So then, we do good works, but not for merit- for what would we merit? Rather, we are indebted to God for the good works we do, and not God to us, since God "is at work in [us], enabling [us] both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13) - thus keeping in mind what is written: "When you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done.'" (Luke 17:10) Yet we do not wish to deny that God rewards good works- but it is by grace that God crowns these gifts. Moreover, although we do good works we do not base our salvation on them; for we cannot do any work that is not defiled by our flesh and also worthy of punishment. And even if we could point to one, memory of a single sin is enough for God to reject that work. So we would always be in doubt, tossed back and forth without any certainty, and our poor consciences would be tormented constantly if they did not rest on the merit of the suffering and death of our Savior.

6.4

The Fulfillment of the Law

6.5

The Intercession of Christ

We believe that we have no access to God except through the one and only Mediator and Intercessor, "Jesus Christ the righteous," (1 John 2:1) who therefore was made human, uniting together the divine and human natures, so that we human beings might have access to the divine Majesty. Otherwise we would have no access. But this Mediator, whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one, according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does. Although he was "in the form of God," Christ nevertheless "emptied himself," taking "human form" and "the form of a slave" for us; (Phil. 2:6-8) and he made himself "like his brothers and sisters in every respect." (Heb. 2:17) Suppose we had to find another intercessor. Who would love us more than he who gave his life for us, even though "we were enemies"? (Rom. 5:10) And suppose we had to find one who has prestige and power. Who has as much of these as he who is seated at the right hand of the Father, (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 1:3) and who has "all authority in heaven and on earth"? (Matt. 28:18) And who will be heard more readily than God's own dearly beloved Son? So, the practice of honoring the saints as intercessors in fact dishonors them because of its misplaced faith. That was something the saints never did nor asked for, but which in keeping with their duty, as appears from their writings, they consistently refused. We should not plead here that we are unworthy- for it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own dignity but only on the basis of the excellence and dignity of Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is ours by faith. Since the apostle for good reason wants us to get rid of this foolish fear- or rather, this unbelief- he says to us that Jesus Christ was made like "his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest" to purify the sins of the people. (Heb. 2:17) For since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted. (Heb. 2:18) And further, to encourage us more to approach him he says, "Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:14-16) The same apostle says that we "have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus." "Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith...." (Heb. 10:19, Heb. 10:22) Likewise, Christ "holds his priesthood permanently.... Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:24-25) What more do we need? For Christ himself declares: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Why should we seek another intercessor? Since it has pleased God to give us the Son as our Intercessor. let us not leave him for another- or rather seek, without ever finding. For, when giving Christ to us, God knew well that we were sinners. Therefore, in following the command of Christ we call on the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator, as we are taught by the Lord's Prayer, being assured that we shall obtain all we ask of the Father in his name.