Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
This is the good and happy news, that Christ has paid for our sin, and through His suffering has redeemed us from eternal death. It is His kingdom and His ministry, to preach the Gospel to the poor; that is His purpose. For to the great and holy He cannot come. They do not wish to be counted sinners, and therefore do not need His Gospel.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice and His mission to reach the marginalized.
In this quote, Martin Luther expresses the core tenet of Christian belief that Jesus Christ's suffering and sacrifice serve as a means of redemption for humanity's sins, particularly those of the poor and downtrodden. He emphasizes that the Gospel is not meant for the proud or self-righteous who do not see themselves as sinners, but rather for those who recognize their need for salvation and hope.
Themes
RedemptionGospelSufferingSalvationFaith
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about compassion and humility, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of helping those in need.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes βNow if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
Similar quotes
The greatest tragedy in mankind's entire history may be the hijacking of morality by religion.
Arthur C. ClarkeRead
Israel... is one of the great outpost of democracy in the world
Martin Luther King, Jr.Read
It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead
Perhaps I can say that I am a bit astute, that I can adapt to circumstances, but it is also true that I am a bit naive. Yes, but the best summary, the one that comes more from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.
Pope FrancisRead
We know that we cannot live together without rules which tell us what is right and what is wrong, what is permitted and what is prohibited. We know that it is law which enables men to live together, that creates order out of chaos. We know that law is the glue that holds civilization together.
Robert KennedyRead
We all live in suspense, from day to day, from hour to hour; in other words, we are the hero of our own story.
Mary MccarthyRead