Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World

by Eric Metaxas

which had been given the keys to that treasury, per Matthew 16:19—could open the vault at any time and give portions of this treasure to whomever

Faith is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God. . . . Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes men glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performed in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything out of love and praise to God who has shown him this grace. Thus it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire.25

Luther brought to light the true and necessary doctrine. He showed what true repentance is, and what is the refuge and the sure comfort of the soul which quails under the sense of the wrath of God. He expounded Paul’s doctrine, which says that man is justified by faith. . . . Many of us witnessed the struggles through which he passed in establishing the principle that by faith are we received and heard of God. Hence throughout eternity pious souls will magnify the benefits which God has bestowed on the Church through Luther.