Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 13:1
Everyone is able to abide by the laws of the land, else the Scripture would not command us to do so. Furthermore, one may choose to obey the laws of the land or not.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 1:28–31
Faith is a gift from God; it is not something that we can conjure by reason or industry. Do you truly fear, love, and trust God? Then you have been regenerated or born again and faith is at work in you.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:8–9
A person who is not enlightened by God’s Holy Spirit—an “unspiritual” or “natural” person—does not, by natural reasoning or abilities, perceive or receive anything pertaining to God’s will and divine gifts.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 3:16–18
But when one comes to the understanding that he is a sinner, through and through, always has been, and always will be, that person may then have the hope of finally pleasing God.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1–3
Without the Spirit, people walk along the natural course of the world. This is the path of sin and death. We cannot do otherwise; we cannot move toward God on our own.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 2:14–16
Without having ever taken a confirmation class, everybody knows that they should honor their parents. Do we need to understand that it is the sixth commandment in order to know we ought to be faithful to our spouses?
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 2:9–10
Lutherans reject the Pelagians and others who teach that we are able to love God above all things and keep his commandments by the power of human nature alone, without the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 25:31–46
Because Jesus rose again from the dead, we confess that on the last day of the world, he will bring with him all who have died in the Lord to be with him forever.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:1–2
As God has established all civil authorities, he would have us pray for them—whether we like them or not. Christian love demands that we hold them before God in prayer.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:33–37
Because Jesus said, “Do not take an oath at all,” we may feel guilty when we do make contractual promises. The issue here is not what we sometimes think it is.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Acts 2:42–47
It is dangerous to souls for us to concede that anything people do produces perfection. We are only made perfect by God through faith in Christ.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:1–2
It is God who makes us perfect. There is nothing we can do or not do, possess or not possess, that makes us perfect or complete in the eyes of God.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:38–40
If someone wrongs you, are you to take matters into your own hands, taking vengeance on the one who has wronged you? No; vengeance is the Lord’s.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 12:17–19
When the Lord says that vengeance is his, one way his retribution is felt is through our governments, the political kingdoms in which we live.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ecclesiastes 8:2–5
The gospel does not give us new laws, nor does it call us to replace existing laws with the old Jewish law code. Instead, we are to obey the laws of the land while also living according to the rule of a higher kingdom, a spiritual kingdom.
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 John 3:19–24
Christ does not rule like earthly rulers, through the passing of laws and the enforcement of the same. He governs by his Word and through preaching.
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