Oh, That Scandalous Martin Luther!

"If you are a preacher of Grace, then preach a true, not a fictitious grace; if grace is true, you must bear a true and not a fictitious sin. God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly. For he is victorious over sin, death, and the world...pray boldly - you too are a mighty sinner." (Weimar ed. vol. 2, p. 371; Letters I, "Luther's Works," American Ed., Vol 48. p. 281- 282)

"If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world.  ...Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner." (same original source document, as cited above)

Luther, Luther, Luther...you and the Apostle Paul were so scandalous.  You were so unapologetic with the Gospel.  You preached grace straight up - no fruity mixed concoctions in your preaching.  Reading your words is much like throwing back a shot of 100 proof whiskey...or getting slapped in the face.  We either decide we hate it, or we thank you because we need it.

Thanks.