None Are Righteous
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 JOHN 1:9
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None Are Righteous
In this alone we are saved, therefore, that having sin and living in sin we grieve because we have it and cry to God for deliverance, in accord with John's saying (1 John 1:8-9): "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In this way, yes, in this way, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). "For there is no man who does not sin," says Solomon in his prayer (1 Kings 8:46). And Moses in Exodus 34:7 says: "Before whom no man of himself is innocent." And again, Ecclesiastes 7:20 says: "There is not a righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins." And again, "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean?' " (Proverbs 20:9). Therefore: "There is none righteous. All have turned aside" (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:10, 12). Thus we pray: "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12).
From Lectures on Romans (Luther's Works 25:247)
1 JOHN 1:9
+
None Are Righteous
In this alone we are saved, therefore, that having sin and living in sin we grieve because we have it and cry to God for deliverance, in accord with John's saying (1 John 1:8-9): "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In this way, yes, in this way, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). "For there is no man who does not sin," says Solomon in his prayer (1 Kings 8:46). And Moses in Exodus 34:7 says: "Before whom no man of himself is innocent." And again, Ecclesiastes 7:20 says: "There is not a righteous man on the earth who does good and never sins." And again, "Who can say, 'I have made my heart clean?' " (Proverbs 20:9). Therefore: "There is none righteous. All have turned aside" (Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:10, 12). Thus we pray: "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12).
From Lectures on Romans (Luther's Works 25:247)
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