Concerning Repentance – part 13
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for audio of today’s devotion.
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
For the following teachings are clearly false and foreign not only to Holy Scripture, but also to the Church Fathers:
I. That from the divine covenant we deserve grace from good works done without grace.
Pulling It Together
You cannot reason or work your way into God’s grace. God’s grace is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8), something that is given by him for you. It is not something that you earn, either by reason of decision or by doing good works. The poor in spirit receive the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3), not those who are wise and industrious. God does not command us to work for his grace. Instead, he liberally bestows his grace and expects his children to offer themselves totally to him (Romans 12:1). We are to do this, not to be saved or be considered righteous, but so that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) will be manifested in our lives through the Holy Spirit, and bring God the glory. His grace is sufficient for us; God does not need our assistance. This frees us to live by the Spirit, content with the righteousness of Christ alone.
Prayer: Thank you, Almighty God, for paying the price for my weakness. 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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