一、認識恩典的本質（驕傲是盲目的）
唯有上帝使人降卑，人才能絕望於自己，才能信靠上帝，接受恩典。一切都是上帝的工作。
第一个理由是认识上帝的恩典，以及贬抑我们的骄傲。
第一，上帝已经肯定地应许要把他的恩典赐给谦卑的人（彼前5:5)，也就是说，赐给那些对他们自己哀恸与绝望的人。但是，没有人能完全地谦卑，除非他知道他的得救绝对不是他自己的能力、方法、努力、意志和行为所能及的，而是全然地倚靠另一位（也就是上帝）的拣选、意志和作为。因为只要他相信他自己能做任何一点（即使只是最小一点）有助于他得救的事，那么他就是保留了一些自信，就没有自己完全绝望，因此，他就没有在上帝面前谦卑下来，而是假定有一些空间、时间和努力，是他最终可以赖以得救的，哪怕是那麼一點可能的希望或欲望。但是，当一个人毫不怀疑地相信，所有的事都取决于上帝的旨意时，那么，他才是完全地对自己绝望，并且不会为他自己作任何决定，而是等候上帝的作为；那么，他就比较接近恩典了，同时能获得拯救。……敬虔之人心存謙卑，就可以認識、依靠並且接受上帝的恩典。——馬丁路德《論意志的綑綁》（《路德文集，第二卷》，p.343-344，上海三聯書店出版，2005年）
First, God has assuredly promised his grace to the humble [I Peter 5:5], that is, to those who lament and despair of themselves. V 33, p 62 But no man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone. For as long as he is persuaded that he himself can do even the least thing toward his salvation, he retains some self-confidence and does not altogether despair of himself, and therefore he is not humbled before God, but presumes that there is—or at least hopes or desires that there may be—some place, time, and work for him, by which he may at length attain to salvation. But when a man has no doubt that everything depends on the will of God, then he completely despairs of himself and chooses nothing for himself, but waits for God to work; then he has come close to grace, and can be saved. ….. that the godly, being humbled, may recognize, call upon, and receive the grace of God.(The Bondage of the Will)(AE 33:61-62 from Fortress Press, Philadelphia)
