Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:27
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From the Word: …God desired to make known what is the means of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
From the Confessions: The Small Catechism
The Sixth Petition
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
God indeed tempts no one to sin, but we pray in this petition that God would guard and protect us from this, that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or lead us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins, but pray that when we are tempted in these ways, we may finally prevail and gain the victory.
Pulling It Together: Temptations come in different forms. Typically, we think of them as being interior, compulsions of the mind or heart. But temptations are exterior as well, sometimes coming from the persuasive speeches of false preachers, or even friends and family. So, we must listen to the Spirit, thinking about those things that commend us to truth (Phil 4:8). Yet, the truth is often difficult to know; after all, it lay hidden for long ages. It remains a mystery unless revealed by God (Col 1:26). That is why we must listen to the Spirit in the Word. In this way, God leads us out of temptation. The way out is always through Christ. He who is within you through his own Spirit is the agency of truth, and hope, and glory.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to hear your Spirit. Amen.
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The Sacraments is one of six books in the Sola Confirmation Series and serves as a simple and practical resource for teaching the biblical Word of God according to the traditional pattern of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Each book in the series may be used as the basis for a “come as you are” small group Bible study, as a student book for home school or independent study programs, or as a classroom tool and homework resource as part of an existing confirmation program.
Author
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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