Emphasis Preaching Journal

When Martin Luther entered the monastery at Erfurt, Germany, he gave himself wholly to prayers, fasting, watching, labors --all in a gigantic effort to gain forgiveness for his sins. But it was the simple testimony of the dean of the theological faculty, John Staupitz, that brought light to his troubled heart. He urged Luther to look away from his deceitful thoughts and evil impulses, and to cast himself completely in the Redeemer's gracious arms. "Trust the righteousness of his life and the atonement of his death," he said. Luther did that and found peace.