Concerning Free Will – part 3
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1–2
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
However, the power of concupiscence is such that people more frequently obey evil inclinations than sound judgment. And the devil, who is powerful in the godless, as Paul says (Ephesians 2:2), never ceases to incite this feeble nature to various offenses. This is why even civil righteousness is rare, as we see that even the philosophers, who seem to have aspired after this righteousness, did not attain it.
Pulling It Together: Without the Spirit, people walk along the natural course of the world. This is the path of sin and death. We cannot do otherwise; we cannot move toward God on our own; human nature cannot do so without the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment. This is the way of the world, for the prince of this kingdom is a spirit who easily has his way with us since our natural desires are bent to offend — unless the Spirit of God regenerates us. Salvation and strength cannot be found elsewhere, as “our help is in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 124:8).
Prayer: If it had not been for you, O Lord, who was on my side, the flood of sin and death would have swept me away. Amen
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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