Concerning Repentance – part 29
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 5:1–2
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
This faith cheers, sustains, and quickens the contrite, according to this verse: “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1). This faith obtains the forgiveness of sins. This faith justifies before God, as the same passage testifies: “We are justified by faith.” This faith shows the distinction between the contrition of Judas and Peter, of Saul and of David. The contrition of Judas and Saul did not help because there was no faith added to apprehend the forgiveness of sins conferred as a gift for Christ’s sake. Accordingly, the contrition of David and Peter availed, because faith was added to sorrow so that the forgiveness of sins given for Christ’s sake was apprehended.
Pulling It Together: The witless child who will not believe his parents got him a birthday present, will never enjoy the gift. Perhaps he was sorry for having been a disobedient child but just could not accept that his parents loved him nonetheless. This was the state of Saul and Judas. They were disobedient but God still loved them. The gift of forgiveness was available even for them. But they could not believe, and lacking faith, they did not grasp the gift. Faith must be added to contrition, or repentance will never avail itself of the remission of sins. But for the one who believes, God justifies that person because of faith in him and his free gift of forgiveness for Christ’s sake.
Prayer: Lord, increase my faith. 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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