These then are the two works of God

"These then are the two works of God, praised many times in Scripture: he kills and gives life, he wounds and heals, he destroys and helps, he condemns and saves, he humbles and elevates, he disgraces and honors... He does these works through these two offices, the first through the letter, the second through the spirit. The letter does not allow anyone to stand before his wrath. The Spirit does not allow anyone to perish before his grace. Oh, this is such an overwhelming affair that one could talk about it endlessly!"

-- Martin Luther in the 1500s via Mike Khandjian this morning