Concerning Repentance – part 70
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:20–25
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Now we are glad for all good people to consider this topic of repentance so that they may decide whether we or the adversaries have taught those things which are more godly and beneficial to consciences. These conflicts in the Church do not please us; so if we did not have important and necessary reasons for dissenting from the adversaries we would happily be silent. But since they condemn the unmistakable truth, it is not right for us to abandon a cause which is not our own, but is that of Christ and the Church.
Pulling It Together: This is not an obscure teaching; it is quite clear. We cannot, with any honesty to God or conscience, deny that we are all sinners and completely incapable of being righteous before God in this life, let alone sharing his holy fellowship in the life to come. Someone better make us holy and righteous or we are in eternal trouble. We have faith that Jesus was sent by his Father to accomplish this very thing. Christ makes righteous those who believe in him (Philippians 3:9). He is our only hope and peace. To teach otherwise would be the worst lie. So we urge all people to take off their old rags — the original, human nature — and put on the new self which is the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14). Be renewed in the spirit of your minds. Believe; have faith in God.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to remember that I am baptized, am dead to sin, and have been raised to live a new life. Amen
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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