Originally posted by 37818
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If you believe in original sin, and that humans inherit the sin of their parents, which has to be washed away with baptism, then Mary must have been without the stain of sin by the time she had Jesus. If she had sinned, she - like Eve - would be under judgment and then Christ would have been born guilty of Original Sin, which is impossible. Grace was given to her abundantly so that was she born not only without the stain of sin, but she was kept from sinning (at least until she had Christ, though likely throughout her life). This gift of grace alone would make her the greatest Christian. However she also took part intimately in the salvation of all of humanity, and she got to suffer horrible as Simeon told her in his prophecy ("...And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34), when she got to behold the passion and death of her Son.
She's also the only human to have ever been hailed by an angel "Hail, full of grace!" That 'full of grace' being the title she's given. Look up any other prophet in the Old Testament, and notice the difference in how the angel interacts with them.
I think Mary's significance is severely underplayed in a lot of protestant theology, without this being necessary. Luther himself held Mary in a very high regard.
Originally posted by 37818
It is not at issue that we can pray for each other. But as to our access to God, it is through Christ alone (John 14:6).
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