Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 26:28
The common belief was that God’s grace and mercy could be had at a price. Therefore, spiritual benefit could come from the work worked, opus operatum.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 5:1-2
Peace comes to us through faith. Faith must come first, since we cannot know peace until we know that somehow we have become righteous before God. Now, any sane person knows that righteousness cannot come by virtue of human works.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Mark 11:15–17
Grace is not merited “from the work worked” (ex opere operato) by humans. It is a gift received through faith in the great work of Christ. Going through religious motions accounts for nothing without faith in God’s word of promise.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12
I know a man who reads his morning paper, then removes the employment section of the classified ads. He takes that bit of the paper with him on his drive to work. If someone is panhandling on a street corner, he hands them the employment classifieds.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 20:7
The Augsburg Confession, of which this document is a defense against the charges of the Roman Confutation, states that “the Mass is a Sacrament for those gathered.”
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 10:17
One must trust the promise of God, believing with true faith. Yet, as we have said, this cannot be accomplished without the Word. One must actually hear the words of Scripture, not a babbling in another language but real, understandable words.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 8:30
More than one person has proclaimed to me, as though to unsettle me, I suppose, that going to church does not make one a Christian. Well, amen to that.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:13–16
The Reformers would not sit still for the scattered blows of their opponents’ Confutation. Twisting statements into something they are not could not be permitted, if the central focus of the Reformation was to be maintained.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Luke 11:28
Cultural correctness is not an easy thing to buck. It feels like nearly everyone is against you. Yet, it is far better to have the whole world denounce you than have God condemn you.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:24–25
Only God’s Word will abide. Our idle arguments will wither, our fine words and reasoning fall with the flowers at the end of summer. As they wither and fall, God’s glory will appear in full bloom before us.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Titus 3:5
As stated when writing about the Distinction of Meats, Jovinian was a monk and ascetic in the fourth century who wrote against celibacy and other monastic traditions. He praised the virtues of marriage and was therefore, of course, branded a heretic.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:7–8
If one cannot in his own power do what God expects, that is, if he continues to sin, then he should do what God says is the answer. It is foolhardy to do what people say ought to be done when God has provided a different solution.
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