Concerning Repentance – part 41

Concerning Repentance – part 41

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: 1 John 4:15–17

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Today’s Scripture Jigsaw

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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

“For the LORD will ... be wroth ... to do his deed — strange is his deed! and to work his work — alien is his work!” (Isaiah 28:21). He calls it the strange work of the Lord when God terrifies, because to quicken and console is God’s own work. But God terrifies, he says, for this reason, namely, that there may be a place for consolation and quickening, because hearts that are secure and do not feel the wrath of God, loathe consolation. In this manner Scripture is accustomed to join these two, the terrors and the consolation, in order to teach that in repentance there are these chief members, contrition and faith, that console and justify. We do not see how the nature of repentance can be presented more clearly and simply.

Pulling It Together: How strange it must seem to a child, for the parent who loves to also seem so angry. For the threat of an oncoming car does not concern the unknowing child who is chasing a ball into the street. But the parent’s yelling terrifies the child. How could my dad be so upset with me? I’m just playing. Yet we easily see from a mature perspective that mothers and fathers were not angry but instead, very loving when they yelled at their children. Their “wrath” was meant to keep children from tragedy. Afterward, children enjoy their parents’ love, even when they have done something wrong, for they have become accustomed to forgiveness. They have faith in this strange love that yells and then consoles. 

Prayer: Help me, O Father, to cling with faith to your love. Amen

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