| Christian Writings: Written by or Recommended by Christian Friends |
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| Martin Luther on Imputation received from Pastor Don Baron |
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A Christian is not a person who commits no sin, but he is a person to whom not one sin is imputed.
Behold, what endless riches are in the possession of faith! All the merits and works of Christ are given to faith. A Christian
can rely upon them as safely as if he himself had performed the works and gained the merits. Christ has indeed not done
these works for Himself, but for us. He has no need of them. But He has won these treasures for us, that we might believe
and possess them. If the Law (of God) then comes and accuses me, I say in defiance: I have fulfilled all your requirements
and more, through my substitute, Christ. Though there ice His righteousness is my righteousness. The Law has nothing
to say about me. It has no authority over me.
If, however, I look upon myself, I confess that I find much of sin and uncleanness. The Law is perfectly right about that.
The Law says: You are a sinner. I answer: Yes, I am a sinner. The Law then says: Then you are damned. If I say “No,” I
certainly must have a good foundation to stand upon. Where am I to find this “No”? I certainly do not find it in my own
bosom. But I find it in Christ. Then I present this No to the Law. Christ can speak this No, and with reason. For He is holy
and without sin. He grants me this No in granting me His own righteousness.
Behold, what endless riches are in the possession of faith! All the merits and works of Christ are given to faith. A Christian
can rely upon them as safely as if he himself had performed the works and gained the merits. Christ has indeed not done
these works for Himself, but for us. He has no need of them. But He has won these treasures for us, that we might believe
and possess them. If the Law (of God) then comes and accuses me, I say in defiance: I have fulfilled all your requirements
and more, through my substitute, Christ. Though there ice His righteousness is my righteousness. The Law has nothing
to say about me. It has no authority over me.
If, however, I look upon myself, I confess that I find much of sin and uncleanness. The Law is perfectly right about that.
The Law says: You are a sinner. I answer: Yes, I am a sinner. The Law then says: Then you are damned. If I say “No,” I
certainly must have a good foundation to stand upon. Where am I to find this “No”? I certainly do not find it in my own
bosom. But I find it in Christ. Then I present this No to the Law. Christ can speak this No, and with reason. For He is holy
and without sin. He grants me this No in granting me His own righteousness.