Martin Luther's Freedom As A Christian

“ Should you ask how it happens that faith alone justifies and offers us such a treasure of great benefits without works, in view of the fact that so many works, ceremonies, and laws are prescribed in the Scriptures, I answer: First of all, remember what has been said, namely that faith alone, without works justifies, frees, and saves; “
Perhaps the greatest figure of the European Reformation, Luther clearly denotes his idea of “sole fide” in the above text. Taken from his writing, Freedom as a Christian, one can’t help but hear the Augustine influences of grace in these texts. But Luther takes it a step further and creates a stir as he pounds his 95 thesis on the papacy’s church door in 1517.
As a young Monk Luther had come to determine

It is only by God’s grace we are forgiven creatures and that we are “clothed in Christ’s righteousness”. In his mind, it is though the Gospel of grace and love that sets us apart and we are made free. In modern terms, the law binds us, the Gospel and faith alone gives us new life. Life that is recovered by Christ’s death on a cross.
Similarly, Luther believed that justification by faith meant that even as sinners we are able to enter into a relationship with God, but again, not by our works. Conversely, the Catholic Church ensnared followers with the idea that it was through sanctification or works (indulgences) that one acquires just such a salvation or entrance into heaven.
Interestingly, the Catholic understanding of fides caritate formata or “faith formed by love” takes the stance that faith without works of love is insufficient to make us right with God. Luther pushes back with “we are related to God through faith, but we are related to our neighbor through love” As it is written in Galatians 5:6, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through

Faith in God leads to acts of love towards our neighbor. It is not as if a fire needs to be held to our feet, but truly if we are connected to the Father and the Son who was crucified for our iniquities, then it is truly by grace and faith alone that we are called to love and care for our neighbor. “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none; a Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.