Give me the gospel...I am a sinner!

For my first blog, I am posting on its anniversary of being written, a closing section of a letter sent from Martin Luther to Philip Melanchthon Dated August 1, 1521 (488 years ago).

Read this...."If you are a preacher of grace, then preach a true and not a fictitious grace; if grace is true, you must bear a true and not a fictitious sin. God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world. As long as we are here [in this world] we have to sin. This life is not the dwelling place of righteousness, but, as Peter says, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. It is enough that by the riches of God's glory we have come to know the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. No sin will separate us from the Lamb, even though we commit fornication and murder a thousand times a day. Do you think that the purchase price that was paid for the redemption of our sins by so great a Lamb is too small? Pray boldly - you too are a mighty sinner. (Cited from Luther's works, vol. 48, pg 281-282, published by Concordia and Fortress Press)

Many are fearful that lawlessness will abound if the Gospel is proclaimed and people called to rest in His gracious work. I am compelled to seek Christ and His kingdom when His love is shown to me time after time in the ordinary means of grace and His Spirit traines my heart with His love. The law drives to Christ, Christ alone makes the soul well.