Luther preaching on John 3:18;
Thus Christ concludes, saying: "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned." Then He speaks affirmatively again and says: "The believer is freed through Christ from the judgment which is already in force." All men are already condemned and imprisoned to be damned eternally, but the Son of God was given to us to redeem us from that judgment. No matter how the devil and your conscience may harass and worry you, this comforting doctrine remains true and certain, provided that your faith is true and sincere. And then you need not fear that Christ will address you on Judgment Day with the words (Matt. 25:41) : "Depart into eternal damnation!" You know that He will say instead (Matt. 25:34) : "Come O blessed of My Father." If our hearts could grasp the fact that we need not fear the Final Judgment, what joy we would find! As for me, the words "Depart from Me" are null and void; for over me I find inscribed the word: "Come, O blessed." And if judgment has been abrogated, then it follows that all other evils, such as sin, death, the devil, and hell, have also been eliminated.
LW 22:380
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