A Reading from the Book of Concord 3 year series July 15, 2007 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Standard LSB C Readings: First: Lev (18:1-5) 19:9-18 Epistle: Col 1:1-14 Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 Psalm: Ps 41 (1)

The following reading from the CONCORDIA edition of the Book of Concord is for the LSB, C series, Old Testament, Leviticus 18:1-5,19:9-18 for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 15, 2007.

It is from Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article V, paragraphs 167-169, page 153.

To those whom God has called to be His people and established them in His family, He calls on them to keep His statutes, to help the distressed and to love your neighbor. Obedience follows God's love and mercy.

Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin.

Pastor Doug May
Socorro, New Mexico

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD	SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
APOLOGY OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION	ARTICLE V: LOVE AND FULFILLING THE LAW

The way of justification they teach is that people merit grace by good works. This way is the doctrine of reason. For reason, not seeing the uncleanness of the heart, thinks that it pleases God if it performs good works. Therefore, other works and other acts of worship are constantly invented. The Fathers did not intend that we follow the ordinances in order to seek after righteousness, but they were given for the sake of mutual peace among people, so there might be a certain order in the church. Another way of justification is handed down by the scholastic theologians when they teach that we are righteous through a habit infused by God, which is love. They say that, aided by this habit, we keep God's Law outwardly and inwardly, and that this fulfilling of the Law is worthy of grace and of eternal life. This doctrine is plainly the doctrine of the Law. For what the law says is true, "You shall love the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:5). Also, "You shall love your neighbor" (Leviticus 19:18). Love is therefore, the fulfilling of the Law.

Both of these ways [of justification] exclude Christ. They are, therefore, to be rejected. They do not teach that justification is the forgiveness of sins. Nor that we overcome the terrors of sin and death through faith in Christ. They claim they fulfill the Law and come to God, without Christ as the Atoning Sacrifice. (paragraphs 167-169)

Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of CONCORDIA, call 800-325-3040.

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