Posted on by Kurt Bodling

sin cannot harm us

“Therefore, just as it is impossible for Christ with his righteousness not to please God, so it is impossible for us, with our faith clinging to his righteousness, not to please him. It is in this way that a Christian becomes almighty lord of all, having all things and doing all things, wholly without sin. Even if he is in sins, these cannot do him harm; they are forgiven for the sake of the inexhaustible righteousness of Christ that removes all sins. It is on this that our faith relies, firmly trusting that he is such a Christ as we have described.”

Luther, Martin. “Fourteen Consolations for Those Who Labor and Are Heavy Laden” (1520) Luther’s Works Vol. 42. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1969, p. 165.

Posted on by Kurt Bodling

cling to Christ’s righteousness

“We are set down, I say, in Christ’s righteousness, with which he himself is righteous, because we cling to that righteousness whereby he himself is acceptable to God, intercedes for us as our mediator, and gives himself wholly to us as our high priest and protector.”

Luther, Martin. “Fourteen Consolations for Those Who Labor and Are Heavy Laden” (1520) Luther’s Works Vol. 42. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1969, p. 165.

Posted on by Kurt Bodling

satisfaction

“It is not for us to make satisfaction for our sins, for Christ alone has made satisfaction for our sins. This part of penance belongs to the forgiveness of sins and faith–we know and believe that our sins are forgiven us on account of Christ.”

Luther, Martin. “Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony” (1528) Luther’s Works Vol. 40. Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1958, p. 297.

Posted on by Kurt Bodling

simul justus et peccator

“We Christians affirm the communion of saints in the Nicene Creed, but I think there should be an equal belief in the ‘communion of sinners.’ We are all fully a part of both groups.”

Rohr, Richard. Immortal Diamond: the Search for Our True Self. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2013, p. xix.

The Lutherans call this idea the “simul justus et peccator” (which, being interpreted, means ‘at the same time, saint and sinner’). In other words, while in this life, we are in a constant cycle of sin and forgiveness, one that moves such that we are always in both states simultaneously.

Posted on by Kurt Bodling

what the Church is and does, part 3

“I believe that there is forgiveness of sin nowhere else than in this community and that beyond it nothing can help to gain it–no good deeds, no matter how many or how great they might be; and that within this community nothing can invalidate this forgiveness of sin–no matter how gravely and often one may sin; and that such forgiveness continues as long as this one community exists. To this [community] Christ gave the power of the keys, saying in Matthew 18 [:18 ], ‘Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.’ He said the same to Peter as an individual, representing and taking the place of one and only one church.”

Luther, Martin. “Personal Prayer Book” (1522) Luther’s Works Vol. 43. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1968, page 29.