Concerning Repentance – part 12
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 11:23–26
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for audio of today’s devotion.
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
In a word, the subject of satisfactions is infinite, so we cannot enumerate all things. But laying beneath these scandalous doctrines of devils, the doctrine of the righteousness of faith in Christ and the benefit of Christ is buried. Therefore, all good people understand that the doctrine of the sophists and canonists concerning repentance has been censured for a useful and godly purpose.
Pulling It Together
Since the consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23), it is no wonder there is the felt need to confess all sins. Perhaps, we might imagine, if we could confess them all, we might overcome death. But no one is likely to list all of their sins, any more than they are able to cheat death. Even if all sins could be named, original sin remains and so, death will come to us all. But there is a way to cheat eternal and spiritual death. It will not happen because we have confessed all our sins or are able to make some satisfaction for them. Eternal death is cheated because we confess Christ, who has overcome sin, death, and the devil, satisfying God through his one sacrifice (Hebrews 11:14). He alone is the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in him, even though dying in this life, will rise to everlasting life through faith in the Son of God.
Prayer: Give me faith in the eternal promise, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. 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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