Forgiveness of Sins

Our topic is the Third Article of the Creed, particularly, the Forgiveness of Sins. In his answer to what this means, Martin Luther wrote, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. … In [the] Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers. … This is most certainly true.[i]

In the Large Catechism, Luther wrote, “We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached concerning the Sacraments belongs here, and, in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin.

Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. Thus, although we have sins, the [grace of the] Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us, because we are in the Christian Church, where there is nothing but [continuous, uninterrupted] forgiveness of sin, both in that God forgives us, and in that we forgive, bear with, and help each other.

But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church].”[ii]

Before you retire tonight, take a few minutes to reflect on your sinful condition, what you deserve from God, ask for forgiveness, and thank God for divine mercy. For this, pray in Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen. … May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.[iii]

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[i] http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php#creed

[ii] http://bookofconcord.org/lc-4-creed.php

[iii] Philippians 4:7