In Our Weakness, We Sin
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
GALATIANS 6:1
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In Our Weakness, We Sin
It sometimes happens that the saints may lapse and gratify the desires of their flesh. Thus David, in a great and horrible lapse, fell into adultery and was responsible for the murder of many when he had Uriah die in battle (2 Samuel 11). Thereby he gave his enemies an excuse to be boastful against the people of God, to worship their idol, and to blaspheme the God of Israel. Peter also lapsed horribly when he denied Christ. But no matter how great these sins were, they were not committed intentionally; they were committed because of weakness. In addition, when they had been admonished, these men did not persist stubbornly in their sins but returned to their senses. . .. Paul commands that such men be received, instructed, and restored, saying: "If a man is overtaken, etc." Those who sin because of weakness, even if they do it often, will not be denied forgiveness, provided that they rise again and do not persist in their sins; for persistence in sin is the worst of all.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:80)
GALATIANS 6:1
+
In Our Weakness, We Sin
It sometimes happens that the saints may lapse and gratify the desires of their flesh. Thus David, in a great and horrible lapse, fell into adultery and was responsible for the murder of many when he had Uriah die in battle (2 Samuel 11). Thereby he gave his enemies an excuse to be boastful against the people of God, to worship their idol, and to blaspheme the God of Israel. Peter also lapsed horribly when he denied Christ. But no matter how great these sins were, they were not committed intentionally; they were committed because of weakness. In addition, when they had been admonished, these men did not persist stubbornly in their sins but returned to their senses. . .. Paul commands that such men be received, instructed, and restored, saying: "If a man is overtaken, etc." Those who sin because of weakness, even if they do it often, will not be denied forgiveness, provided that they rise again and do not persist in their sins; for persistence in sin is the worst of all.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:80)
Posted in Daily Devotions
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