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The following reading from the CONCORDIA edition of the Book of Concord is for the LSB Epistle, Romans 8:12-17 for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, July 13, 2008. It is from Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article XI, paragraphs 71, 73-75, page 612. The sons of God are those who are led by the Holy Spirit that dwells within them. Although they are still tempted by their own sinful desires they are no longer captive to the flesh. Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin. Pastor Doug May
According to Christ's teaching [all people] should abstain from their sins, repent, believe His promise, and entirely trust in Him. Since we cannot do this by ourselves, by our own powers, the Holy Spirit desires to work these things-repentance and faith-in us through the Word and Sacraments. The Holy Spirit dwells in the elect, who have become believers, as in His temple [1 Corinthians 6:19]. He is not idle in them, but moves God's children to obey God's commands. Therefore, believers, too, should not be idle, much less resist the work of God's Spirit. They should practice all Christian virtues, in all godliness, modesty, temperance, patience, and brotherly love; and they should give all diligence to make their calling and election sure [2 Peter 1:10]. They should do this so that the more they find the Spirit's power and strength within them, they may doubt their election less. For the Spirit bears witness to the elect that they are God's children (Romans 8:16). Our election to eternal life is founded not on our virtue, but on Christ's merit alone and His Father's gracious will. Therefore, when His children depart from obedience and stumble, He has called them to repentance again through the Word, and the Holy Spirit wants by the Word to be effective in them for conversion. (paragraphs 71, 73-75)
These are excerpts from the Book of Concord.
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