Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

The testimonies of Scripture are clear, that the renewal of the new man, as also the mortification of the old, is not perfect and complete in this life but that it grows daily and is increased day by day until it is perfected in the next life, when this corruptible will have put on incorruption. Profitable also and necessary in the church are exhortations that the regenerate should not neglect, extinguish or cast away the gifts of the Spirit which they have received, but that they stir them up with true and earnest exercises, calling on the help of the Holy Spirit, that He may give an increase of faith, hope, love and of the other spiritual gifts; for what the punishment of spiritual negligence is the parable of the talents shows. - Martin Chemnitz, Examen I:538,539