Readings for Midweek Lent 2

“Faith Alone Works…In Freedom and Delight”
(For Wed., 3/8/17)

From: The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, 
Article VI “The Third Use of the Law,” par. 4-5

 [4] For the explanation and final settlement of this dissent we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that although the truly believing and truly converted to God and justified Christians are liberated and made free from the curse of the Law, yet they should daily exercise themselves in the Law of the Lord, as it is written, Ps. 1:2;119:1[also verses 35, 47, 70, 97]: Blessed is the man whose delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law doth he meditate day and night. For the Law is a mirror in which the will of God, and what pleases Him, are exactly portrayed, and which should [therefore] be constantly held up to the believers and be diligently urged upon them without ceasing.

 [5] For although the Law is not made for a righteous man, as the apostle testifies 1 Tim. 1:9, but for the unrighteous, yet this is not to be understood in the bare meaning, that the justified are to live without law. For the Law of God has been written in their heart, and also to the first man immediately after his creation a law was given according to which he was to conduct himself. But the meaning of St. Paul is that the Law cannot burden with its curse those who have been reconciled to God through Christ; nor must it vex the regenerate with its coercion, because they have pleasure in God’s Law after the inner man.

Psalm 119:33-48, ESV

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!

37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.

38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.

39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;

42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.

44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,

45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.

46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,

47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.

48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

Matthew 5:17-20, ESV
 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.