Justification by Faith Alone: Martin Luther and Romans 1:17

In Romans 1:17, we read that “The righteous shall live by faith.” In this brief clip, R.C. Sproul describes the moment of awakening Martin Luther had as he read this passage.

[JESUSisLORD]

I haven't heard too many sermons by RC Sproul, but what I have heard is amazing.

[dodibenabba]

Looking at some of the comments some people seem to think that they must be responsible for some of it, because of ego, get over it, it's a free gift it's really nothing to do with us but selfish ego can't admit that Our Father really IS that Great.

[jessewallaceable]

He reminds me of the beaver in whinne the pooh. He’s awesome.

[randycraig]

Love this! BTW, near the end of this video the transcript and captioning omits the line, (at 3:09) "He was confirmed in this understanding by reading an essay he read from Augustine on “The Letter in the Spirit” (actually, On the Spirit and the Letter) in which Augustine made that very comment that hid in Romans start talking about God’s righteousness what a righteousness that was made available to believers by faith." And then picks up again at 3:17.

Also, in the description, the link for Romans 1:17 does not go to a scripture source but instead to the 1 minute and 30 seconds point in this video.

[jameszimmerman]

HALLELUJAH!
That is so AWESOME! Our GOD is an awesome GOD. Yes-The doors of Paradise opened and I walked through. Reminds me of John 10:9 and Revelation 3:20. JESUS is The Door. Amen.

[BonnieBlueA]

YHVH’s mercy is unmerited favor. This mercy of salvation was made available to all at the foundation of the world. Few will accept this free gift. Grace is merited favor for those who through faith walk in His Word and guard His Commandments. This faith lets His mind be in us ; and, transform our actions through submission to His will rather than walking in our own will.

Please Jesus Christ Grant me repentance unto life

[AndrewLane-pmro]

James 2:24 says no man is justified by faith alone ... therefore, no man is saved by faith alone.

Works is simply obeying God's commandments - a man is saved by faith and obedience.

"the saints,   those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Rev 14:12, 12:17)

[craigkelly]

So where does this leave Baptism by Water?? Are we to ignore Acts 2:38??

[redeemedthunder]

Can someone please share a link to the full lecture that this clip was taken from?

[donboniface]

Paul’s principal concern (all over Ephesians) is how the Jews and Gentiles relate in the people of God, was that Gentiles were to be included in the Covenant of the people of God, on equal footing with Jews, in spite of the fact that they didn’t keep the Mosaic Law.

Luthers question that he brings 1500 years later is how do I find a gracious God and do I have to perform moral good deeds or moral behavior (these are not Paul’s questions). These are Luthers questions that he reads into Paul’s texts (Luther is imposing and categorizing that were alien to Paul’s thoughts). Luther is worried that God would not love him, this is not at all Paul’s concern

Luthers questions are born out of a scrupulous conscious. Paul does NOT have a scrupulous conscience. Paul is not at all concerned about the things that Luther, or Calvin was worried about

Paul says that he is “conscious of nothing against myself”. Paul’s concern is how Jews and Gentiles will get along now that Gentiles don’t have to practice the Mosaic law

[HotchiwawaChronicles]

I don't like when they say: "faith alone" because a lot of people will never search deeper and they will never reach salvation. Catholics have also faith but it will not work. Don't forget to repent and follow God's will. God's will is larger than faith only.

[williemoe]

The problem is Calvin twisted the scripture in order to teach the nonsense of one time justification forever. In Romans 8 Paul says we are not condemned because we who are empowered by the Spirit and walk in the righteousness of the law and that the carnal hate God and cannot obey the law of God. That means we must be righteous and stay righteous to be saved, to be justified. It is not just about Christ. And they take Abraham and say he blessed the world just because he believed not anything he did. Truth is he was righteous when he loved and obeyed God and that obedience of faith brought salvation to the whole world.
Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Does it say Abraham's faith brought blessing, salvation, to the whole world. Just love how they pick and choose scriptures to support man made doctrine. 

Are future sins are never washed when we come to faith. It says are past sins are cleansed. They are washed after we commit them. Jesus said he forgives us just like we forgive others. We don't forgive future sins.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. This is a lifelong walk, not some once and done justification or salvation.

20 

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. This is our walking in righteousness. When are we justified? When we obey until our last day. Does it say sanctified like the Calvinists claim?

[DDFreeman]

LIVING FAITH + GOOD WORKS = SALVATION
Galatians 6: He who sows to the flesh (in works) shall reap eternal death.
He who sows to the Spirit (in works) shall reap eternal life.
1 Peter 1: God is impartial and judges every man according to his works.
Romans 2: God will render to every man according to his works.
To those who continue patiently in good works he will give eternal life.
But to those who live iniquitous lives he will render eternal death.
John 5: Those who have done good works to the resurrection of life.
Those who have done evil works to the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 20: And they were judged every man according to his works.

1 John 2: He who does the will of God will exist forever.
Revelation 22: Blessed are those who do God's commandments that
they may have the right to the tree of life and enter into the city.

BEWARE THE FALSE TEACHERS WHO SAY THAT DEAD FAITH THAT IS NOT BEING LIVED BY CAN SAVE !! IT IS ONLY LIVING FAITH THAT IS BEING LIVED BY THAT CAN SAVE !!

[GeorgePenton-nprh]

It is true that we are saved by faith in Christ but faith in Christ means faith in everything Christ taught, including that good works are necessary for salvation (Matthew 25:31-46). Mere intellectual belief in the Person of Jesus Christ will not save us. The rich man in the Lazarus/rich man parable had plenty of faith----he rightly called on his spiritual father Abraham----but he lacked the good works of helping the poor.

[jlouis]

Luther is one of the coarsest, most foulest speaking, cursing man in history. A man who says that one can never ever be free of sin, or even have free will. A bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit, so says Jesus. That’s why Luther denies all works. Totally ungodly and a hypocrite who would write the Pope telling him he supported him at the same time as he was writing others telling them he wanted to bring the Pope down.

[robertsullivan]

Baloney faith and works. But I do love this man, he's taught me a great deal and Made me a better Catholic.

[marcopellegrini]

Still there is nothing in the Bible that says he rightness shall live by faith alone. That is just an addition of Martin Luther

[James]

Protestant beliefs are contradictory and self refuting which means it cannot be of God.

Belief 1) Good works is only a fruit or sign of salvation
Belief 2) Man will always produce bad fruit (sin)
Conclusion: No Protestant is saved because they will always produce bad fruit

[accylshane]

we dont know who will be saved? we are all humans..our understanding and wisdom is not of god..we have limited understanding..we dont need argue to prove something..we speak truth in love.let the brother believe we dont make other to stumble because of insisting what we think is right.