Friday, January 29, 2010

A Feigned, False, and Cunning Good Will

In the course of Luther's 1519 exposition of the third petition in the Lord's Prayer, Luther observes this:  "It is impossible for a truly good and sincere will to become irritable and quarrelsome when thwarted.  Mark well that it is a definite sign of an evil will that it will not brook opposition.  Impatience is the fruit by which you can recognize a feigned, false, and cunning good will.  A genuinely good will when thwarted will say, "O God, I regarded my plan as good.  But if it is not to be, I am content.  May your will be done."

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