Human beings are made up of two effects, body and soul. For pure life, word of god is important which is honoured by faith. Faith is necessary for the soul for its salvation. Work should be used to serve other to become a true Christian. A Christian should have abundant faith and should use his body to live for others, like Christ did.
1. What are the terms Luther uses to describe the twofold nature of humanity?
Luther says that humanity is dual natured. They are of spiritual nature or soul, inward, new man, and bodily nature or fleshy, outward old man.
2. What one thing is necessary for justification and Christian liberty?
According to Luther the one thing necessary for justification and Christian liberty is word of God. As the Christ says that He is the resurrection and the life, and the one who believes in Him will never. One can become free only if the son of God makes one free. He also said that man not only needs bread to live, but also by every word that comes out of God’s mouth. The soul needs only the word of god. If word of god is received, nothing else matters. The life becomes rich with joy, glory, peace, and salvation.
3. Which does Luther affirm: justification by faith or justification by works?
Luther affirms that the word of god can be received and honored by only faith. The soul needs the word of god to live and to justify and does not need any works, because if it is possible to justify by any other resources, it would not require word of god or faith.
4. What is Luther’s rationale for this position?
Luther believes that faith controls inward man, because belief is in the heart, and only heart can justify. No labor or outward work can justify an inward man, set a man free, or save him. He becomes impious in his heart and feels guilty, and worthy of condemnation, not because any outward transgression. That is why, all Christians should keep aside their dependence on works and build his faith stronger by knowledge OF Jesus Christ who suffered and rose again for the humanity. Therefore, the Christ ordered Jews to do only the work of god because god had sent Him.
5. What is the purpose of works?
The purpose of works is to live for others not him. One should use one’s body to serve others, with sincerity and free will. Paul says that we do not live or die for ourselves. We live and die for our lord. Christ was created as a man although he was son of god, similarly, all men should have one aim and that is to serve other men. One’s need for justification and salvation will be granted when one works toward fulfilling the necessities and advantage of his neighbor. We must work with our own hands so that we can provide the needy. The apostle could have ordered us to work towards our needs, but instead he tells us to use our hands for supporting others. As a true Christian it is our duty to keep our body healthy and fit so that we can use the same for the aid of those who require our aid. The stronger of the society should serve the weaker members. As children of god we must share each other’s burdens. If we live like this, we can say that we have fulfilled the law of Christ. Faith actually works like this.
References:
1. Modern History Sourcebook: Martin Luther: On the freedom of a Christian. 13 April 2012. Retrieved from web. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/luther-freedomchristian.asp
