On Becoming a Christian
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.
PHILIPPIANS 3:12
+
On Becoming a Christian
For there is really nothing more destructive to the believer than this presumptuousness, as if he had already taken hold of it and there were no need to seek it. It is from this that many slide backward and wither away in their security and laziness. . . Therefore, whoever has begun to be a Christian, this is what remains: to consider that he has not yet become a Christian and to seek to become a Christian . . .. For a Christian is not in having become, but in becoming . . .. Therefore whoever is a Christian is not a Christian; that is, whoever thinks that he has already become a Christian when he is only becoming a Christian is nothing. For we are headed toward heaven; we are not yet in heaven. And just as he who thinks he is already in heaven will never enter heaven, so he who is headed to heaven is already in heaven since God reckons him as if he were in heaven already. . .. That is how wondrous the works of this kingdom are.
From Annotations on Matthew (Luther's Works 67:212-13)
PHILIPPIANS 3:12
+
On Becoming a Christian
For there is really nothing more destructive to the believer than this presumptuousness, as if he had already taken hold of it and there were no need to seek it. It is from this that many slide backward and wither away in their security and laziness. . . Therefore, whoever has begun to be a Christian, this is what remains: to consider that he has not yet become a Christian and to seek to become a Christian . . .. For a Christian is not in having become, but in becoming . . .. Therefore whoever is a Christian is not a Christian; that is, whoever thinks that he has already become a Christian when he is only becoming a Christian is nothing. For we are headed toward heaven; we are not yet in heaven. And just as he who thinks he is already in heaven will never enter heaven, so he who is headed to heaven is already in heaven since God reckons him as if he were in heaven already. . .. That is how wondrous the works of this kingdom are.
From Annotations on Matthew (Luther's Works 67:212-13)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever