#18 Imperfectly Righteous Here; Perfectly Righteous in Future Life

“Wherefore, Dr. Severus, you ought to write that man [in Linz] that he shouldn’t torment himself but should have confidence. In his good time the devil will of his own accord stop forcing such blasphemies upon him. As far as perfect righteousness is concerned, I can readily believe that he desires to be perfectly righteous and that he tries to be holy and blameless. But such a life would be a life of angels and it will not be ours except in the future life. I often get angry with myself because I find much impurity in myself. But what should I do? I can’t divest myself of my nature. Meanwhile Christ deems us righteous on account of his blood and counts for righteousness the fact that we desire to be righteous, abhor this uncleanness, and love his Word and trust in him. (Luther’s Works, v. 54, p.374)

Posted in 2022 Rejoice.