Concerning the Marriage of Priests – part 24
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:1–5
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Paul says that marriage, food, and similar things are sanctified by the Word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:5) — through the Word which makes consciences certain that God approves — through prayer, that is, by faith that uses it with thanksgiving as a gift of God.
Pulling It Together: Efforts to be holy through anything other than Christ are denials of Christ and of his justification of us. Devoting ourselves to religious things such as abstinence — whether foods or marriage — is to deprive ourselves, not only of foods and marriage but, of Christ himself. God created these good things for the benefit of those who put their trust in Christ alone. Indeed, they are not merely good, but holy also, because the believer receives them with thanksgiving, since they have been sanctified through the Word of God.
Prayer: Give me faith to always trust in you alone, God, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen
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Author
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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