Bondage of the Will - Luther - XVIII - 'Discussion: Third Part' continued

Required reading
The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue the 'Discussion: Third Part' by reading Sections 148 to 155.

My summary
Today Luther continues giving his proofs against free will from Romans.

Luther primarily expounds:
(i) Romans 3:23-24 'All have sinned and are without the glory of God: for there is no difference. Being justified freely by His grace';
(ii)  Romans 4:2-8 'For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin;
(iii) Romans 5:5-8 'For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.'

Luther also makes reference to Romans 10 and 11.

What grabbed me
Luther was in his element today when expounding justification by faith: 'In this chapter [Romans 4], he repeats the word “impute” above ten times. In a word, he distinctively sets forth “him that worketh,” and “him that worketh not,” leaving no medium between them. He declares, that righteousness is not imputed “to him that worketh,” but asserts that righteousness is imputed “to him that worketh not,” if he believe! Here is no way by which “Free-will,” with its devoted efforts and endeavours, can escape or get off: it must be numbered with “him that worketh,” or with “him that worketh not.” If it be numbered with “him that worketh,” you hear that righteousness is not imputed unto it; if it be numbered with “him that worketh not, but believeth” in God, righteousness is imputed unto it. And then, it will not be the power of “Free-will,” but the new creature by faith. But if righteousness be not imputed unto it, being “him that worketh,” then, it becomes manifest, that all its works are nothing but sins, evils, and impieties before God.'

If we have a righteousness before God, it simply must be by imputation!

Next week's reading
Conclude the 'Discussion: Third Part' by reading Sections 156 to 166.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.