Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 144
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 5:1–5
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
No sane person can judge otherwise. We are not trying to be subtle by segregating the fruits from the righteousness of the heart. If the adversaries would only have acknowledged that the fruits please God because of faith, because of Christ as mediator, and that by themselves they are not worthy of grace and of eternal life.
Pulling It Together: Lasting peace with God comes through faith. Our deeds can make us feel good for a while but that feeling is not only false, it does not last. However, when faith in Christ justifies us to God, then we know a confident peace that enables us to stand before God. We rejoice, knowing that he cares for us and hears our prayers in this life, and we have real hope in the life to come. The Holy Spirit and God’s love are given to us, indeed, poured into us so that the character of good fruit is grown in us by God. Faith in Christ promises and accomplishes all of these things: hope, character, the fruit of the Spirit, and works that please God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying for me, and rising from the dead so that I may live. 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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