�� Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream ������ is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by ������ good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they ������ speak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,'' they ������ say, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.'' ������ They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, ������ creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``I ������ believe.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, because ������ this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything ������ from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this ������ `faith,' either. ����������� Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives ������ new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us ������ completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, ������ our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with ������ it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this ������ faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't ������ stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone ������ asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ������ ceasing.� Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an ������ unbeliever.� He stumbles around and looks for faith and good ������ works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. ������ Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many ������ words. ����������� Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of ������ God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. ������ Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy, ������ joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The ������ Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you ������ freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve ������ everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who ������ has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to ������ separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from ������ fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard ������ against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough ������ to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. ������ Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without ������ faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.
An excerpt from ������������ "An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans," ������������������������ Luther's German Bible of 1522 ������������������������� by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 ��������������������� Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith ����������� from DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S VERMISCHTE DEUTSCHE SCHRIFTEN. ���������������������� Johann K. Irmischer, ed. Vol. 63 ������ (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), pp.124-125. [EA 63:124-125] ��������������������������������� August 1994
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