Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

It follows from this there where there is no love, there is no genuine Christianity. Show me your faith with your works, James says in 2:18; as if he meant to say: Live with Christ in you, Gal. 2:20, and you possess a share of the spiritual life which is from God. Thus also the workings of the spiritual life will be recognized in you, just like one recognizes from movements and activity whether the soul still resides in the body and is making it alive. Love your enemies; bless those who curse you; do good to those who hate you; pray for those who hurt your feelings and betray you - so that you be children of your Father in heaven, says the Lord, Matt 5:44-45. As if he wanted to say: If you want to be regarded as children of God, then you must also follow the example of the heavenly Father. Extoling this with one's own mouth is not enough; instead, it has to be shown by doing it. - Johann Gerhard, Homily for Gaudete