In our last two entries under The Story, we’ve visited with Martin Luther and considered some of his thoughts on a number of different topics.  It’s been an interesting way to get to know one of our “heroes” from church history a little better.  But we’ll conclude this series today…

On Christian Freedom
“Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, aye, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles.  We are conquered if we try too conscientiously not to sin at all.”

“If our Lord is permitted to create nice large pike and good Rhine wine, presumably I may be allowed to eat and drink.”

“Not only are we the freest of kings, we are also priests forever, which is far more excellent than being kings, for as priests we are worthy to appear before God to pray for others and to teach one another divine things.”

On Prayer
“Oh, if only I could pray the way this dog watches the meat!  All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat.  Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.”

“No man should be alone when he opposes Satan.  The church and the ministries of the Word were instituted for this purpose, that hands may be joined together and one may help another.  If the prayer of one doesn’t help, the prayer of another will.”

“I have often learned more in one prayer than I have been able to glean from much reading and reflection.”

On Himself
“Next to faith, this is the highest art: to be content in the calling in which God has placed you.  I have not learned it yet.”

“Our Lord God must be a pious man to be able to love rascals.  I can’t do it, and yet I am a rascal myself.”

“[Others] try to make me a fixed star, but I am an irregular planet.”

“If I rest, I rust.”