Luther on Sin

2 Corinthians 5:21
God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin upon him that we might receive God's approval through him.

             Luther wrote, “When we first become aware of our sin we are frightened by it. But we must not allow sin to burden our conscience. Because this would lead us to despair. Instead, just as our awareness of sin flows to us from Christ, so we must pour our sins in back on to Christ in order to free our conscience! Be careful you don't become like the misguided people who allow their sins to bite them and eat at their hearts! Those who strive to rid themselves of sin by running around doing good works, never succeed. You have been given a way to get rid of your sins: throw them on Christ! Because when you firmly believe Christ's wounds and suffering have carried and paid for your sins, then you will be truly free! As the prophet Isaiah once said, the lord has laid all of our sins upon him (53:6). Or as Peter wrote, “Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross.” (2:24) or as Saint Paul says in 2nd Corinthians, “God had Christ who was sinless to take on our sin.” So rely upon these and other verses from the Bible with your whole heart. The more your conscience torments you, the more you must rely upon them. Or if you don't do this, and try to quiet your conscience or your own sorrow or penance, you will never find peace, you'll give into despair in the end. If you try to deal with in your own conscience, but I remain there, and continue to look at it in your heart, and your sins will become too strong for you. They will seem to live forever. When you think of your sins as being on Christ, and boldly believe that Christ has conquered them through his resurrection, that's when your sins are dead and gone. Sin can never remain on Christ, or his resurrection has swallowed the sin up!”

Prayer:  We are so good at doubt, so bad at believing.  So Lord, we believe, help our unbelief!  Give us the grace sufficient for the day s so that with an unburdened conscience, we can boldly and freely proclaim your saving grace!  Amen.