Our cause has not dropped to as low an ebb as did that of Christ in his own day, when even Peter denied him, when all the disciples fled from him, and when Judas betrayed and captured him. Even if matters were to become that bad, our cause will not perish and Christ will not turn to dust. But I know and am convinced that this and anything else that may still come, happens as a general test and trial in which the strong will be confirmed, the weak strengthened, the confirmed praised, the false believers revealed; the enemies and those not worthy of recognizing and regarding it as God’s word are offended and hardened, as they indeed have deserved. (Luther’s Works, v.43, p.66)
Picture: Art. VI Das der Glaub sol gütte werck bringë, doch de wir nicht auff solche werck verfrawen.
“That faith should bring good works, but we do not rely on such works.”
Jac. 2, v. 17 ; Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James)
Luc 17, v. 19 ; And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
[All of the pictures for this year’s posts are from an etching entitled “Augsburg Confession” by Wenceslaus Hollar (1607-1677) and found in the Royal Collection Trust.]