A lot has been written about Martin Luther’s legacy and even though he was born in 1546, the legacy of the reformer is still felt today.
Though he was a student of Scripture, Martin is probably best known for defying the Catholic Church of his day, laying some of the groundwork for protestant theology, forming the Lutheran tradition. He was both a complex, influential ”ž and controversial ”ž.
In today’s hectic world, there is much we can learn from Martin’s commitment to simple living, good stewardship and value of nature.
He had much wisdom to share, here are some of his most influential and controversial ”ž quotes that are sure to give you some food for thought:
- “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” – Martin Luther
- “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!” – Martin Luther
- “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship” – Martin Luther
- “Reason is a whore, the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.” – Martin Luther
- “A person who…does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.” – Martin Luther
- “The devil, the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of music almost as much as before the Word of God….Music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men. Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices.” – Martin Luther
- “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.“ – Martin Luther
- “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” – Martin Luther
- “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” – Martin Luther
- “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times. I know not the way God leads me, but well do I know my Guide.“ – Martin Luther
- “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” – Martin Luther
- “Be a sinner and sin strongly, but more strongly have faith and rejoice in Christ.” – Martin Luther
- “If you want to interpret well and confidently, set Christ before you, for He is the man to whom it all applies, every bit of it.” – Martin Luther
- “The Gospel cannot be truly preached without offense and tumult.” – Martin Luther
- “Therefore we conclude that all law, divine and human, treating of outward conduct, should not bind any further than love goes. Love is to be the interpreter of law.” – Martin Luther
- “We are nothing with all our gifts be they ever so great, except God assist us.” – Martin Luther
- “Those speak foolishly who ascribe their anger or their impatience to such as offend them or to tribulation. Tribulation does not make people impatient, but proves that they are impatient. So everyone may learn from tribulation how his heart is constituted.” – Martin Luther
- “My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.” – Martin Luther
- “True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue.” – Martin Luther
- “Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.” – Martin Luther
- “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” – Martin Luther
- “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” – Martin Luther
- “So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: “I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!” – Martin Luther
- “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God.” – Martin Luther
- “To find Christ in such poverty, and what his swaddling clothes and manger signify, are explained ”¦ that his poverty teaches how we should find him in our neighbors, the lowliest and the most needy; and his swaddling clothes are the holy Scriptures; that in actual life we should incline to the needy; and in our studies and contemplative life only to the Scriptures; in order that Christ alone may become the man of both lives and that he may everywhere stand before us.” – Martin Luther
- “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone.” – Martin Luther
- “I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self.” – Martin Luther
- “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved.” – Martin Luther
- “God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther
- “I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.” – Martin Luther
- “You have as much laughter as you have faith.” – Martin Luther
- “There never yet have been, nor are there now, too many good books.” – Martin Luther
- “This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.” – Martin Luther
- “The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.” – Martin Luther
- “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” – Martin Luther
- “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.” – Martin Luther
- “Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.” – Martin Luther
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Martin Luther: What an amazing man of God! I studied his life before becoming a Christian. Theologian, defender of the faith, lover of God and of the people, Bible translator, communicator, inspirational leader, and the list goes on and on.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. God Bless
I did not know that he loved music so much.
Wonderful quotes.