We had a guest pastor at church a few weeks ago who gave this great quote from Luther.

MY FAITHFUL REQUEST AND ADMONISHMENT IS THAT YOU JOIN OUR COMPANY AND ASSOCIATE WITH US WHO ARE REAL GREAT HARDBOILED SINNERS.

YOU BY NO MEANS MUST MAKE CHRIST SEEM PALTRY AND TRIFLING TO US. AS THOUGH HE COULD BE OUR HELPER ONLY WHEN WE WISH TO BE RID OF IMAGINARY, NOMINAL, CHILDISH SINS. NO, NO.

THAT WOULD NOT BE GOOD. HE MUST RATHER BE A SAVIOR AND REDEEMER FROM REAL, GREAT, GRIEVOUS, DAMNABLE TRANSGRESSIONS AND INIQUITIES. YEA, FROM THE VERY GREATEST AND MOST SHOCKING SINS. TO BE ALL SINS ADDED TOGETHER IN A GRAND TOTAL.

YOU WANT TO BE A PAINTED SINNER AND ACCORDINGLY EXPECT TO HAVE A PAINTED SAVIOR? YOU WILL HAVE TO GET USED TO THE FACT THAT CHRIST IS A REAL SAVIOR AND YOU ARE A REAL SINNER. FOR GOD IS NEITHER JESTING NOR DEALING IN IMAGINARY AFFAIRS. BUT HE WAS GREATLY AND MOST ASSUREDLY IN EARNEST WHEN HE SENT HIS OWN SON TO DIE ON A CROSS FOR OUR SINS.

MARTIN LUTHER