Rely on Christ Alone

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 PETER 3:14-15
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Rely on Christ Alone
The world is defiant and courageous when its moneybags and bins are full. Then there is such pride and defiance that the devil could not get along with a rich peasant. . .. One who has a little more power, honor, knowledge, favor, money, or goods refuses to yield to another person. But if we look at this aright, we find nothing but a foolish or childish reliance, without any stability. . .. Christians have nothing to rely on but Christ, their Lord and God. They willingly surrender all things for His sake and say: "Before I deny or forsake my Christ, I will bid farewell to neck and belly, honor and goods, house and home, wife and child, and everything!" Therefore this courage cannot be a sham or a delusion; it must be genuine and real. Its comfort is not rooted in earth's temporal or transient things, for the sake of which it would be willing to suffer this. No, it pins its hopes solely on the Lord Christ, who was crucified and died for us. . .. Whatever a Christian does and suffers in faith in the Lord Christ is absolute truth, proper, and right; and he can boast truthfully and joyfully that it is approved by God and all the angels. A Christian is sure of his position and fears neither the devil nor the world; neither is he intimidated by any threat or terror.

From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16 (Luther's Works 24:118-19)