Concerning Repentance – part 21
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 3:21–28
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for audio of today’s devotion.
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
IX. That receiving the sacrament of repentance obtains grace ex opere operato, without a right attitude on the part of the recipient — without faith in Christ.
Pulling It Together
Everything depends upon faith in Christ. Going to church, doing good works, being president of Council, having perfect attendance, teaching Sunday School, and even knowing all three of the ecumenical creeds (yes, even the Athanasian Creed) by heart mean nothing without faith. Simply doing the deed (ex opere operato: by the work worked) does not bring grace. Only faith in Christ apprehends grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). So we confess that the righteousness and grace of God has been given apart from works of the law. People are justified by God’s grace through faith in Christ, not by doing works. Works are evidence of one’s faith but they do not merit grace.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your grace to me, a poor sinner. Amen
Share this post
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.
Click Here For Content Archives