Memorial Moment - Acquittal

Memorial Moment

"Lutheranism is often accused of teaching a sterile, "forensic" doctrine of salvation. "Forensic" means legal. The Lutheran church does teach the Bible's doctrine that Christ's death sets the Christian under God's grace so that God, the righteous judge, acquits sins or pronounces the verdict of "not guilty" upon the person for Christ's sake (Rm 3:20-28). This verdict of "not guilty" the Bible calls justification. First, there is nothing sterile about the condemned and frightened sinner hearing from God that his sins are forgiven and that the Lord does not remember his iniquity (Jer 31:34). Whoever does not feel free and rejoice at this verdict of acquittal is a log or a block of stone."

Acquittal

"Lutheranism is often accused of teaching a sterile, "forensic" doctrine of salvation. "Forensic" means legal. The Lutheran church does teach the Bible's doctrine that Christ's death sets the Christian under God's grace so that God, the righteous judge, acquits sins or pronounces the verdict of "not guilty" upon the person for Christ's sake (Rm 3:20-28). This verdict of "not guilty" the Bible calls justification. First, there is nothing sterile about the condemned and frightened sinner hearing from God that his sins are forgiven and that the Lord does not remember his iniquity (Jer 31:34). Whoever does not feel free and rejoice at this verdict of acquittal is a log or a block of stone.

Second, justification brings with it the full panoply of God's gifts, so that the Lutheran Church not only teaches a "forensic" doctrine of justification, but it also extols and teaches many other salvific aspects of the gospel. For example, Luther often speaks of the honor that God has done humanity in that Christ has taken our human flesh, by becoming incarnate of the virgin Mary, so that there is the great exchange between the Church and the Christ. Jesus exchanges His righteousness for my sin. All this is mine by faith. The stupendous attributes and holy works of the only Son of the Father are ascribed to me by God! Christ is my righteousness (1Co 1:30). Anyone who thinks this sterile or legalistic has a dead soul and does not understand the depth of human depravity."



Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray
Memorial Lutheran Church


Romans 3:20-26 (ESV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A20-26&version=ESV


 Martin Luther:

"Although David personally had the physical advantage that we do not have, namely, that Christ was to be born of his body, we have just as much reason to be glad and to boast of the honor and glory which we share with David and the holy fathers of the Jewish nation. For in Christ a part of our flesh and blood, that is, our human nature, sits in heaven above at the right hand of God. He wants to be our Lord just as much as the Lord of David and the other fathers. It is an unspeakably great glory and honor for humanity to have been raised so high by Him, not merely to heaven among the holy angels and archangels, who are certainly great and excellent princes and lords, but to the level of direct equality with God Himself. How could the High Majesty become humbler than by honoring this sorry flesh and blood and exalting it through His divine honor and authority? He descends to the level of our nature and becomes a member of the human race! It is an honor which no angel in heaven shares."

Martin Luther, Psalm 110, 1

Prayer: 

"Dear Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness in the presence of God. Give me joy in the relief that I experience when I hear that You have taken my sin into Yourself and cleansed my humanity. Amen."