The Smalcald Articles – part 8
Scripture Text: Luke 13:3
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Luke 13:3
From the Confessions: The Smalcald Articles
I must tell a story. There was a doctor here in Wittenberg, sent from France, who said before us publicly that his king was beyond convinced that there is no church among us, no government, no married life, that all live promiscuously like cattle, and each one does as he pleases. Imagine now; how will they face us on that day before the judgment seat of Christ, who by their writings have instilled such gross lies into the king and other countries, as if their lies were pure truth? Christ, the Lord and judge of us all, well knows that they lie and have lied. I know that they in turn will hear his sentence. May God convert to repentance those who may yet repent. Suffering and regret will be the eternal condition of the rest.
Pulling It Together: The Spirit of God often uses new situations to change our perspective, to bring us to repentance. We are all sinners, so we are all in need of daily and constant repentance. Just as Ecclesia semper reformanda est—the Church must always be reformed—we always stand in need of repentance. Until that great Day, we must always be turning in the waters of our baptism, remembering Christ, facing him again, knowing that he forgives us. This is the hope of sinners: Christ forgives, so repent!
Prayer: Lead me, Lord, in a life of daily repentance. Amen.
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Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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