Luther on Galatians 1: For Christ's Sake

"No man can say that we are seeking the favor and praise of men with our doctrine. We teach that all men are naturally depraved. We condemn man's free will, his strength, wisdom, and righteousness. We say that we obtain grace by the free mercy of God alone for Christ's sake. This is no preaching to please men. This sort of preaching procures for us the hatred and disfavor of the world, persecutions, excommunications, murders, and curses."

We obtain grace by the free mercy of God alone for Christ's sake. That pretty much takes all focus of self out of the picture. On the one hand it can be said that God loves each of us very personally, but on the other hand we know, and should be glad of the fact that all of the grace we get, even the personal relationship, is for Christ's sake. It's all for His glory and honor.

Luther is speaking of preaching here, and this does give us a good litmus test for preachers and sermons. How many times is Christ mentioned? Do the sermons, no matter what they are on, always swing in the end to give glory to Christ? Every grace and mercy is from Him and for Him, for His glory, which means every teaching should point that way.