“Abba” is only a little word, and yet contains everything. It is not the mouth but the heart’s affection which speaks like this. Even if I am oppressed with anguish and terror on every side, and seem to be forsaken and utterly cast away from Your presence, yet am I Your child, and You are my Father. For Christ’s sake: I am loved because of the Beloved. So this little word, “Abba,” Father, deeply felt in the heart, surpasses all the eloquence of Demosthenes, Cicero, and the most eloquent speakers that ever lived. This matter is not expressed with words, but with groanings, and these groanings cannot be uttered with any words of eloquence, for no tongue can express them.
— Martin Luther (1483–1546), Reformator
Related Bible passage: ROM.8.15
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, Faith & Trust
Occasions: Comfort
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (1483–1546) war ein deutscher Theologe, Augustinermönch und Universitätsprofessor in Wittenberg, der die reformatorische Bewegung des 16. Jahrhunderts anstieß. Er steht für das reformatorische Schriftprinzip und die Lehre von der Rechtfertigung allein durch den Glauben und prägte die deutsche Sprache durch seine einflussreiche Bibelübersetzung. Für heutige Bibelleser bietet sein Werk fundamentale theologische Denkanstöße zur Gnade Gottes, wirft durch seine späten antijüdischen Schriften und seine Haltung im Bauernkrieg aber auch bleibende historische Kritikpunkte auf.
All quotes by Martin Luther (565)
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would not be able to seek you if you had not already found me.
Augustine of Hippo
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
God seeks you more than your offering.
Augustine of Hippo
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Augustine of Hippo