“ God will, say some, that we should serve him freely and willingly, whereas he that serves God out of fear of punishment, of hell, or out of a hope and love of recompense, serves and honors God not uprightly or truly. This argument is of the stoics, who reject the affections of human nature. ”
Martin Luther, Table Talk (1566). copy citation
| Author | Martin Luther |
|---|---|
| Source | Table Talk |
| Topic | punishment fear |
| Date | 1566 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by William Hazlitt |
| Weblink | http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books/Luther%20Table%20Talk.pdf |
Context
“Secondly, the evening sacrifice; whereby is signified that a Christian should offer a broken, humble and a contrite heart, consider his necessities, and dangers, both corporal and spiritual, and call upon God for help.
DCCVII. God will, say some, that we should serve him freely and willingly, whereas he that serves God out of fear of punishment, of hell, or out of a hope and love of recompense, serves and honors God not uprightly or truly. This argument is of the stoics, who reject the affections of human nature. It is true we ought willingly to serve, love, and fear God, as the chief good. But God can well endure that we love him for his promise’s sake, and pray unto him for corporal and spiritual benefits; he therefore has commanded us to pray.” source
DCCVII. God will, say some, that we should serve him freely and willingly, whereas he that serves God out of fear of punishment, of hell, or out of a hope and love of recompense, serves and honors God not uprightly or truly. This argument is of the stoics, who reject the affections of human nature. It is true we ought willingly to serve, love, and fear God, as the chief good. But God can well endure that we love him for his promise’s sake, and pray unto him for corporal and spiritual benefits; he therefore has commanded us to pray.” source
