Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

If we understand the "forgiveness of sins" entirely in terms of the cancellation of the guilt of past transgressions, our conception of it is much too small. It is always much more. Let me recall to you the familiar words of the Small Catechism, "in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words, 'given and shed for you for the remission of sins.' For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation." The Large Catechism (V 70) puts it this way, "In the Sacrament you receive from Christ's mouth forgiveness of sins, which contains and brings with it the grace of God and the Spirit with all His gifts, protection, shelter, and power against death and the devil and all misfortune." - Arthur Carl Piepkorn, *The Church* pp. 233, 234