Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream        is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by        good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they        speak and hear much about faith. ``Faith is not enough,'' they        say, ``You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.''        They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working,        creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, ``I        believe.'' That is what they think true faith is. But, because        this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything        from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn't come from this        `faith,' either.             Instead, faith is God's work in us, that changes us and gives        new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us        completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits,        our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with        it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this        faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn't        stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone        asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without        ceasing.  Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an        unbeliever.  He stumbles around and looks for faith and good        works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are.        Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many        words.             Faith is a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of        God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it.        Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace makes you happy,        joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The        Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you        freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve        everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who        has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to        separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from        fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard        against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they're smart enough        to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools.        Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without        faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.

An excerpt from              "An Introduction to St. Paul's Letter to the Romans,"                          Luther's German Bible of 1522                           by Martin Luther, 1483-1546                       Translated by Rev. Robert E. Smith             from DR. MARTIN LUTHER'S VERMISCHTE DEUTSCHE SCHRIFTEN.                        Johann K. Irmischer, ed. Vol. 63        (Erlangen: Heyder and Zimmer, 1854), pp.124-125. [EA 63:124-125]                                   August 1994