Luther on Strengthening the Conscience, Psalm 51:16

[GHansen]

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering {Psalm 51:16).

Our theology should remain fixed and firm also in this teaching. We teach that in the matter of justification, when the issue is how to strengthen consciences and take away sin, neither the ceremonial nor the moral laws avail. They were not established with the purpose of attaining righteousness through them, as Paul generalizes (Gal. 3:21): “No law was given which could make alive, therefore righteousness cannot be by the Law.” Here only mercy avails, which God has revealed in the sacrifice of Christ, and faith, which takes hold of that mercy or sacrifice of Christ. Therefore ceremonies, whether the Law’s or ours, are holy and good, but for their purpose. Moral works are also very good, but for their purpose. But for the purpose of justification they are not only useless but absolutely nothing, because this purpose belongs only to the sacrifice of Christ. In comparison with its worthiness, all ceremonies of the Law, all moral works, are nothing.

Luther, M. (1999). Luther’s works, vol. 12: Selected Psalms I. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 12, p. 400). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.