RELIGIOUS FRAGMENTS OF LUTHER

All those who have a desire to do good works, because this is commanded, and who do so out of fear or a desire for reward, are under the law. They feel they must be pious and do good, but nevertheless do it unwillingly. For that reason the law is their lord and schoolmaster, and they are servants and prisoners. They are all without Christ, which is proved by experience and the conscience of each of them. Because if there was not a demanding and pursuing law, or punishment and reward — if every one would be free to do as he wished, and go unpunished and unrewarded — he would do the evil and neglect the good, especially when temptation and occasion would excite him. But since the law steps in his way with threatening and promise, he abstains more or less from evil and does that which is good; not necessarily out of love for that which is good and hatred for that which is evil, but out of fear and a desire for reward. Therefore they are under the law, and are compelled by her as servants. But those who are not under the requirements and curses of the law hate that which is evil and desire to do that which is good, irrespective of the threatenings, promises, penalties and rewards of the law; they do this freely and cheerfully out of love for the good and hatred for the evil, because they have a delight in God’s commandment. If it was not commanded, they nevertheless would not want it to be otherwise; they would yet do what is good and refrain from what is evil. Those are the true children! Nature cannot do this, but Christ makes His people willing by His grace and His Holy Spirit. Therefore, to not be under the law does not say: live slothfully, do wickedly, live according to the flesh, and neglect good works; but it says this, that we obey and do good, and refrain from evil, not out of fear, compulsion, and obligation to the law, but out of free love, with willingness and delight. We will then do what is good and refrain from evil even if there would be no law, as if the natural disposition of a man would yearn after this.

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