The power of Faith

AELW 5:128

"Thus Holy Scripture presents the accounts of the saints in such a way that it gives praise to the power of faith. Consequently, he who has the Word of God should consider himself blessed and should turn his eyes away from present things to those that lie in the future and are invisible. For the Word of God, especially the promise, does not speak of present things; it speaks of things that lie in the future and have been experienced by no one. Faith attaches itself to a thing that is still an utter nothing and waits until everything comes about. It is a knowledge and wisdom of darkness and nothingness, that is, of things which it has not experienced and are unseen and almost impossible. He who wants to be a Christian must meditate well on and fix this in his heart. For all other branches of knowledge are taught on the basis of syllogisms, inductions, and experiments. They do not have their basis or beginnings in what is nothing, and especially not on what is unseen, impossible, absurd, and foolish; but faith, which takes hold of the promise, fixes the heart on what is altogether absurd, impossible, and contained in the Word and God’s promise."

The prayer of a pastor...

AELW5:123

"But above all a ruler in the church should pray in this manner: “Lord God, Thou hast appointed me in the church as bishop and pastor. Thou seest how unfit I am to attend to such a great and difficult office, and if it had not been for Thy help, I would long since have ruined everything. Therefore I call upon Thee. Of course, I want to put my mouth and heart to use. I shall teach the people, and I myself shall learn and shall meditate diligently on Thy Word. Use me as Thy instrument. Only do not forsake me; for if I am alone, I shall easily destroy everything."

Long - But classical Luther and well worth reading...

AELW 5:121-122

"Accordingly, you must beware both of being haughty because of your wisdom and plans and of despairing if your deliberations turn out badly, for GOD controls and blesses the mistakes of the godly. I have often been guilty of very great indiscretions and foolish acts; but I did this with a good intention, not because of a desire to harm and not knowingly, but unwisely and foolishly, when I desired to counsel faithfully. Then I surely had to pray that God might cover and correct my mistake. Nor can it happen otherwise in affairs that are disturbed. For in this way the greatest and best men in the state often do the most harm with foolish and rash plans; and if God did not have compassion on them, everything would be in a topsy-turvy condition.

Such is our life; it is very wretched indeed. When we try to be very wise and to give the best advice, we often cause the greatest havoc, to such an extent that if our errors were not corrected because of God’s compassion and providence, everything would be utterly overturned. For the same thing happens to us that happened to a certain peasant who was driving his wagon with difficulty because the wheels, as they seemed to him, were too blunt. In order that the horses might pull the wagon with less difficulty, he sharpened the rims of the wheels. But with this plan he accomplished so little that the wagon, with the wheels, sank deeper into the mud and could not be moved from the spot at all. This is the kind of wisdom we arrogate to ourselves. According to it, nothing seems easier than the management of affairs, just as the well-known character in the comedy says: “I should have been king,” and as the poets have beautifully portrayed such arrogance in the story of Phaethon. For today, too, you could hear many who cry out: “If I were in Dr. Martin’s or Philip’s place, I would give them better advice!” Of course! We see that great princes stumble and that the best bishops often show themselves as the most foolish.

Then what? Should nothing at all be done, and should all managing be shunned entirely? Not at all. Rather let everyone diligently and faithfully do his duty which has been committed to him by God. But let him beware of relying on his own strength or his own wisdom and of considering himself such a great man that everything should be directed in accordance with what he counsels. For it is incurable and damnable rashness and arrogance on my part when I claim to be such a person and such an extraordinary man that I can manage the state, the home, and the church wisely and properly. But if you are a judge, a bishop, or a prince, you should not feel ashamed to fall on your knees and say: “Lord God, Thou hast appointed me as prince, judge, head of the household, and pastor of the church. Therefore guide and teach me, give me counsel, wisdom, and strength to attend successfully to the office committed to me.”

The plans of men...The plans of God

AELW 5:120

"And this is the common way of all life, not only in the case of the saints but in common life among all men, as the examples in the comedies prove. He who believes rashly is deceived. On the other hand, you will try in vain to deceive him who does not readily believe. But many such things happen in the life of the saints in order that we may see how God governs His saints, turns their foolishness and rashness into the greatest wisdom, and grants to their plans, which at first seemed very stupid, very beautiful results. "

Another word of wisdom for the pastors elect...

AELW 5:119

"I know that I have often done many things foolishly and very rashly, so much so that I thought: “Why has God called me to preach when I do not have as much knowledge, discretion, and judgment as the importance of the office demands?” Although I performed everything with a pious and sincere heart, with pious devotion and zeal, yet a great deal of nonsense and many failures arose, with the result that heaven and the whole world seemed about to go to ruin. Then I was compelled to fall on my knees and to ask for help and counsel from God, who is powerful and turns a denouement in a tragedy into a catastrophe in a comedy while we are sleeping."

NOT Rick Warren's definition of purpose...

AELW5:112

"God does not establish kingdoms and empires, and does not bestow other gifts on men in order that they may become haughty and rage against the poor and the afflicted; but whatever He gives, whether wealth, power, or beauty, He gives for His own glory and for the benefit of the neighbor.

Hence the purpose of God’s gifts is not the pleasure or the tyranny of those who have the gifts, but the lawful use should be directed toward the glory of God and the welfare and benefit of the neighbor. But although people receive God’s blessing, sovereignty, priesthood, power, strength, and intelligence, and have the efficient, formal, and material cause, they are not concerned about the final cause. But why are you a king? Why are you a prince, a priest, a father, or a mother? “In order that I may be blessed in this life,” you will say, “in order that I may indulge in pleasures, in order that I may gratify my lusts. I am learned and rich in order that I may get a great name and glory among men.” But then the rule of which you boast is completely done away with, because God does not want His blessings poured out for any other purpose than for His own glory, for the praise of Him who bestows them, and for the welfare of the church. The government is held in honor in order that it may benefit the state. Husband and wife are joined together in order that they may bring children into the world and rear them for the benefit of the home and the state. But the world cuts off the final cause in all the gifts of God."

Thinking of my graduate Seminarian brothers...

....as they continue to prepare for the work of an undershepherd..

Genesis 27:10. and you shall bring it to your father to eat,

so that he may bless you before he dies.

AELW 5:109

"Here belongs a description of the rites which the fathers used both when bestowing and when receiving a blessing. But Moses relates merely as a matter of history what the first-born had to do and how he had to be dressed in order to receive those fiefs of the blessing. Beyond this he adds nothing, although they made use of definite and special rites. Thus when the princes receive fiefs from the emperor today, they are not dressed in the ordinary or customary manner but put on royal garments with distinctive helmets and arms. These are ceremonials which the world uses to make public and adorn what is being done. Thus Moses laid his hands on Joshua (Deut. 34:9), and Scripture says: “You shall invest him with your dignity” (cf. Num. 27:20, 23); that is, you shall honor him with a short address before the people, in order that they may know that he has been praised by you and deserves to be heard and followed by them."

Not Luther,...but, a good jog to my memory...

I read, or should I say, re-read this the other day...

"Axiom: Lex necat peccatorem, non peccatum; evangelium necat peccatum, non peccatotem"

"The Law kills the sinner, not the sin; The Gospel kills sin, not the sinner."

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics Vol. 1, p. 80

Give attention to the Word

AELW 5:71-72

"To be sure, there are admirable and commendable works and examples in the accounts of the patriarchs, for these men walk in the Word of God; but more attention should be given to the Word, which guides the life of the patriarchs. It is the rule and standard according to which I can reach the conclusion that I am a preacher, a husband, a wife, a servant, a maid, a child, that God has committed this to me, and that for this reason it pleases Him, not on account of the works in themselves—for we are flesh— but on account of our guide and leader, namely, the Word of God, under which I walk. If I die, I do not die in the rule of Francis but in the rule and Word of the Holy Spirit."

In the Word I have comfort

AELW 5:71

"Consequently, I give this warning diligently and frequently—and it must always be impressed—lest we be carried away by our own opinions or thoughts, however godly, angelic, and heavenly they may be. Thus Paul also warns in Col. 2:18: “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions.” For they are without the Word. For God speaks with us and deals with us through the ministers of the Word, through parents, and through the government, in order that we may not be carried about with any wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). Children should listen to their parents, citizens to the government, a Christian to the pastor and the ministers of the Word, a pupil to his teacher. Apart from this Word all life is condemned, and all sects are lost. But if the Word is there, then I have sure comfort, whether I am a father or a mother or a child. Then I hear the Word, and I know what I should believe and what I should do; for God speaks with me, too, in the very station of life in which I live."

"Do not perish or despair in trial...

...but rejoice in peace and give thanks to God."

AELW 5:53

"you see how kind the Lord is to His saints. To be sure, He tests them, sends them into exile, lets them be exposed to danger of their reputation and their life, and permits them to be afflicted with famine and misfortunes of every kind; yet He provides excellent, quiet, and safe hospitality and grants peace in the midst of their enemies. These things are recorded to strengthen our faith—even if perils and misfortunes rush in, just as Isaac is living in the utmost danger—that God nevertheless leads and preserves us. For the church must have a place and nest on this earth. If one or another prince does not want to protect us, God will give someone else to provide hospitality in a kindly manner. And for the most part He is wont to choose a host without our advice or judgment, yes, even beyond and contrary to our hope and expectation. In this way Isaac obtained safety and quiet in that land, and later on he became exceedingly rich, with the result that the inhabitants begrudged him such great good fortune and he was compelled to move to another place. All this is related in order that we may believe in God, who leads and preserves us; for when we have the Word, we are indeed exercised by sundry perils, but in such a way that we do not perish or despair in the trial but rejoice in peace and give thanks to God."

The revealed God, in Christ

AELW 5:50

"I have added that one must look at the revealed God, as we sing in the hymn: Er heist Jesu Christ, der HERR Zebaoth, und ist kein ander Gott, “Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts, and there is no other God”

and Luther's...

"A Mighty Fortress is our God" verse 3

"Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever."

The highest form of worship...

AELW 5:49

"the highest form of worship He requires is your conviction that He is truthful. For this is why He has given you the strongest proofs of His trustworthiness and truth. He has given His Son into the flesh and into death, and He has instituted the sacraments, in order that you may know that He does not want to be deceitful, but that He wants to be truthful. Nor does He confirm this with spiritual proofs; He confirms it with tangible proofs. For I see the water, I see the bread and the wine, and I see the minister. All this is physical, and in these material forms He reveals Himself. If you must deal with men, you may be in doubt as to the extent to which you may believe a person and as to how others may be disposed toward you; but concerning God you must maintain with assurance and without any doubt that He is well disposed toward you on account of Christ and that you have been redeemed and sanctified through the precious blood of the Son of God. And in this way you will be sure of your predestination, since all the prying and dangerous questions about GOD’S secret counsels have been removed—the questions to which Satan tries to drive us, just as he drove our first parents."

On Predestination

AELW 5:47

"Staupitz used to comfort me with these words: “Why do you torture yourself with these speculations? Look at the wounds of Christ and at the blood that was shed for you. From these predestination will shine. Consequently, one must listen to the Son of God, who was sent into the flesh and appeared to destroy the work of the devil (1 John 3:8) and to make you sure about predestination. And for this reason He says to you: ‘You are My sheep because you hear My voice’ (cf. John 10:27). ‘No one shall snatch you out of My hands’ ” (cf. v. 28)."

The disease of doubt.

AELW 5:45-46

"For God did not come down from heaven to make you uncertain about predestination, to teach you to despise the sacraments, absolution, and the rest of the divine ordinances. Indeed, He instituted them to make you completely certain and to remove the disease of doubt from your heart, in order that you might not only believe with the heart but also see with your physical eyes and touch with your hands. Why, then, do you reject these and complain that you do not know whether you have been predestined? You have the Gospel; you have been baptized; you have absolution; you are a Christian. Nevertheless, you doubt and say that you do not know whether you believe or not, whether you regard as true what is preached about Christ in the Word and the sacraments.

But you will say: “I cannot believe.” Thus many are troubled by this trial, and I recall that at Torgau a little woman came to me and complained with tears in her eyes that she could not believe. Then, when I recited the articles of the Creed in order and asked about each one whether she was convinced that these things were true and had happened in this manner or not, she answered: “I certainly think that they are true, but I cannot believe.” This was a satanic illusion. Consequently, I kept saying: “If you think that all these things are true, there is no reason why you should complain about your unbelief; for if you do not doubt that the Son of God died for you, you surely believe, because to believe is nothing else than to regard these facts as the sure and unquestionable truth.”

"If you want to escape despair..."

"give up your speculation about the hidden God."

AELW 5:45

"If you listen to Him, (Christ) are baptized in His name, and love His Word, then you are surely predestined and are certain of your salvation. But if you revile or despise the Word, then you are damned; for he who does not believe is condemned (Mark 16:16).

You must kill the other thoughts and the ways of reason or of the flesh, for God detests them. The only thing you have to do is to receive the Son, so that Christ is welcome in your heart in His birth, miracles, and cross. For here is the book of life in which you have been written. And this is the only and the most efficacious remedy for that horrible disease because of which human beings in their investigation of God want to proceed in a speculative manner and eventually rush into despair or contempt. If you want to escape despair, hatred, and blasphemy of God, give up your speculation about the hidden God, and cease to strive in vain to see the face of God. Otherwise you will have to remain perpetually in unbelief and damnation, and you will have to perish; for he who doubts does not believe, and he who does not believe is condemned (Mark 16:16)."

What more could you want?

You could say...

AELW 5:21

"I only hear sermons, read Scripture, and make use of the sacraments. I have no appearances of angels.”

To which Luther replies...

"I answer: You have no reason to complain that you have been visited less than Abraham or Isaac. You, too, have appearances, and in a way they are stronger, clearer, and more numerous than those they had, provided that you open your eyes and heart and take hold of them. You have Baptism. You have the Sacrament of the Eucharist, where bread and wine are the species, figures, and forms in which and under which God in person speaks and works into your ears, eyes, and heart. Besides, you have the ministry of the Word and teachers through whom God speaks with you. You have the ministry of the Keys, through which He absolves and comforts you. “Fear not,” He says, “I am with you.” He appears to you in Baptism. He baptizes you Himself and addresses you Himself. He not only says: “I am with you,” but: “I forgive you your sins. I offer you salvation from death, deliverance from all fear and from the power of the devil and hell. And not only I am with you, but all the angels with Me.” What more will you desire? Everything is full of divine appearances and conversations."

If you're good, the devil will notice...

AELW5:5

"if the devil notices that you have the Word and are confident that your life is pleasing and acceptable to God on account of the Word, he will not rest but will put in your way trials and afflictions of every kind even in the most trivial matters. You will experience faithlessness on the part of the household, the hatred of your neighbors, and the death of your children or of your wife. All these things will happen in order that your faith may be exercised. But if the Word is not there, impatience and displeasure follow because of such an irksome and miserable kind of life, just as we hear many who exclaim that they entered into marriage not because God led them but because the devil urged them to do so."

Faith in the Word

AELW5:4

"Holy Scripture, in its accounts of the fathers, gives praise primarily to faith in the Word; for the Word of God sanctifies everything, inasmuch as it is holy, yes, holiness, truth, and wisdom itself. And the life that is governed by the Word is the true, righteous, wise, and eternal life. But if it lacks the Word, it also lacks truth, light, and wisdom before God, and all its doings are works of darkness."

Luther's Works - Volume 5

LUTHER’S
WORKS

VOLUME 5

LECTURES ON GENESIS

Chapters 26–30