The Covenant of Grace
He has commanded His covenant forever.
PSALM 111:9
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The Covenant of Grace
Christendom can err and make mistakes, but it does not remain in error and sin. Against this it has the covenant of grace, in which Christ has become its Throne of Grace (Romans 3:25) and continually offers forgiveness of sin. This is something that Christendom accepts by faith, as the article of the Creed says: "I believe in the forgiveness of sin." And in the Our Father it seeks and obtains it when saying: "Forgive us our debts." Christendom on earth as a whole is not entirely without spot or wrinkle, but it shall become so, as St. Paul declares (Ephesians 5:27). Nor is it in itself so holy that it is without sin; but in Christ it is holy, and in itself it is still full of sin, as St. Paul so emphatically teaches (Romans 7:18) that in his flesh there is no good thing. In Paul's flesh there is no good thing; thus he is a captive slave of sin, yet one of the best and holiest members of Christendom. Why, then, should not Christendom also have sin and serve sin in its lesser members? All saints must pray Psalm 19:12: "Who knows all errors? Lord, cleanse me of those that are hidden"; and Psalm 25:11: "For Thy name's sake, Lord, be gracious toward my sin; for it is great."
From Commentary on Psalm 111 (Luther's Works 13:382-83)
PSALM 111:9
+
The Covenant of Grace
Christendom can err and make mistakes, but it does not remain in error and sin. Against this it has the covenant of grace, in which Christ has become its Throne of Grace (Romans 3:25) and continually offers forgiveness of sin. This is something that Christendom accepts by faith, as the article of the Creed says: "I believe in the forgiveness of sin." And in the Our Father it seeks and obtains it when saying: "Forgive us our debts." Christendom on earth as a whole is not entirely without spot or wrinkle, but it shall become so, as St. Paul declares (Ephesians 5:27). Nor is it in itself so holy that it is without sin; but in Christ it is holy, and in itself it is still full of sin, as St. Paul so emphatically teaches (Romans 7:18) that in his flesh there is no good thing. In Paul's flesh there is no good thing; thus he is a captive slave of sin, yet one of the best and holiest members of Christendom. Why, then, should not Christendom also have sin and serve sin in its lesser members? All saints must pray Psalm 19:12: "Who knows all errors? Lord, cleanse me of those that are hidden"; and Psalm 25:11: "For Thy name's sake, Lord, be gracious toward my sin; for it is great."
From Commentary on Psalm 111 (Luther's Works 13:382-83)
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