But as St. Paul says in today’s text, the death of Christ is viewed by God as if all had died themselves. His death was substitutionary, a death in the place of, and instead of, all people. This death atones for and cancels their sins. It is like a payment of a debt, for when one person pays for all, no one remains a debtor.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, pp. 367, 368.
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Will: it may be a small thing, but twice in a row now, Gerhard has referred to “true repentance.” Together with “true faith” these words set the writer apart as knowing what true repentance and true faith are, as opposed to what? Faith and Repentance that do not save? The difference is usually expressed as things we “must do.” This, however, robs the children of God of the consolation of the Gospel, because, as a result, the Evil one is quickly nearby, asking the question, “Do you have true faith, or did you truly repent?”
Peace and Joy!
George A. Marquart
Hi, George! Blessed Easter to you! Gerhard does that all the time; I agree its not the most helpful way of speaking. Kind of like the Confession of Sins: “heartily sorry...sincerely repent.”
P.S. There was a great confession of sins in the edition of the Lutheran Book of Prayer that I remember in my teen years: “I cannot even uphold the fullness and honesty of this my confession.” There’s truth!
Thank you. There is truth indeed. I hope you and yours will continue to enjoy a wonderful Easter until we stop counting the Omer.
This year, as for most of my life, I have the glorious pleasure to celebrate both Eastern and Western Easters.
Peace and Joy!
George
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