Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Psalm 51:17

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Psalm 51:17

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning the Marriage of Priests 

Now such self-control is easy for those who are godly and employed. But the facts show that the multitude of slothful priests living indulgently in the fraternities cannot keep Levitical self-control. The verse is well known: The boy accustomed to being lazy, hates those who are busy.

Pulling It Together

Those who enjoy their ease and indolence, without the benefit of the Word of God, and having no regard for it, live their lives without worry or guilt. These conditions brought the most debauched lifestyles upon the Church, just as they do in our times. Such people are unable to observe Levitical self-control, let alone perpetual celibacy. Add to this that God does not desire such sacrifice from his people. The sacrifices of God are the confession of sin and genuine repentance. 

Prayer: Wash me, Lord, and I shall be clean. Amen.

The Spiritual Realms is a nine-session Bible Study series on Heaven and Hell and places beyond this world. Specifically, the study looks at the many “place names” that are found throughout Scripture, referring to spiritual realms of existence that underlie and comprise the universe God created. This Bible Study series is a challenging one, in that it explores realities of existence beyond what we know and experience everyday.

The study not only addresses matters of life, death, heaven and hell, it steadfastly affirms that Jesus Christ is at the center of all these things. Our ultimate faith and hope rest in Christ’s death and resurrection for our sake. We live in faith by the biblical promise that: “God raised the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power” (1 Cor 6:14).

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