Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. These words greatly devaluate good works and the second part of the doctrine: the proclamation of good works. This does not imply that Christ rejects works utterly, for they are also commendable; but they must remain within their prescribed circle and sphere. Compared with the doctrine I am now discussing, namely, faith and regeneration, they are very insignificant. They cannot bring a man to heaven or advance him to that point where he feels a desire to behold heaven or to come into eternal life. No, one must be born again. Without this new birth there can be no membership in the church. These words of Christ are lucid and clear. Nicodemus is pious enough; he abounds in good works; and now he humbles himself and comes to the Lord Christ. Annas and Caiaphas would not have done this. Nicodemus confesses that Christ is a teacher of the truth. Still the Lord tells him: your humility and piety count for nothing, and you will not get to heaven unless you are born anew. Anyone who believed this and regarded it as true would stand ready to reply to the righteousness and pious ideas of the Turks and the papists, who tell one man to bind himself with a rope, a second to wear a cowl, and a third to go on pilgrimages. One could say: Even though you make long prayers and fast and build modest houses, you will not get to heaven because of this. Wearing a cowl avails nothing. No, it is written: ‘You must be born anew.’ This is tantamount to saying: ‘Now you are dead with all your works, conduct, and life. You are damned and worthless with your sanctimonious and Pharisaical righteousness.’ It is the same as though someone were to address these words to the pope and the cardinals today: In your condition you are dead, damned, and doomed! But they do not believe it. Martin Luther Luthers Works, AE 22:277, Sermons on the Gospel of St. John, John 3:3
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 13:08:22 +0000