Surrendering the Self
Let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
TITUS 3:14
+
Surrendering the Self
Thus it is not your good work that you give some alms or that you pray, but that you surrender yourself completely to your neighbor and serve him, wherever he needs and wherever you can, be it with alms, prayer, work, fasting, counsel, comfort, instruction, admonition, rebuke, pardon, clothing, food, and finally even with suffering and dying for him. Tell me, where now are such works to be found in Christendom? [I wish to God I had a voice like a thunderbolt so that I could preach to all the world and tear the little words "good works" out of all people's hearts, mouths, ears, and books—or at least give them the right understanding of those words.]
From the Church Postil, sermon for Advent 1 on Matthew 21:1-9 (Luther's Works 75:42, bracketed text from footnote 44)
TITUS 3:14
+
Surrendering the Self
Thus it is not your good work that you give some alms or that you pray, but that you surrender yourself completely to your neighbor and serve him, wherever he needs and wherever you can, be it with alms, prayer, work, fasting, counsel, comfort, instruction, admonition, rebuke, pardon, clothing, food, and finally even with suffering and dying for him. Tell me, where now are such works to be found in Christendom? [I wish to God I had a voice like a thunderbolt so that I could preach to all the world and tear the little words "good works" out of all people's hearts, mouths, ears, and books—or at least give them the right understanding of those words.]
From the Church Postil, sermon for Advent 1 on Matthew 21:1-9 (Luther's Works 75:42, bracketed text from footnote 44)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the Lord