Monday, March 23, 2015

Law and Gospel: Keep Proclaiming Them

I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lᴏʀᴅ.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.  (Ps 40:9-10)


It is not God's will that any one should be damned, but that all men should be converted to Him and be saved eternally [2 Peter 3:9].
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord Gᴏᴅ, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?  (Ezekiel 33:11)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)
Out of His immense goodness and mercy, God provides for the public preaching of His divine eternal Law and His wonderful plan concerning our redemption, namely, the holy, alone-saving Gospel of His eternal Son, our only Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  By this preaching He gathers an eternal Church for Himself from the human race, and works in the hearts of men true repentance and knowledge of sins, and true faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  By this means, and in no other way, (i.e., through His holy Word, when men hear it preached or read it, and the holy Sacraments when they are used according to His Word), God desires to call men to eternal salvation, draw them to Himself, and convert, regenerate, and sanctify them.

Formula of Concord II.49-50

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