The adversaries had many prooftexts to attempt to disprove the Concordians understanding of faith and works. Melancthon patiently teaches that these passages (I Corinthians 13:2; Colossians 3:14; I Peter 4:8; and many more), are grounded in the understanding that the love of Christ is our hope and He pours that love into our hearts (Romans 5:5) so that we serve knowing that we are already saved (Romans 5:1). We are exhorted to love others as part of our Christian identity and to do so always out of love for Him. “Love is humble, love is gentle, love is tender, true and kind; Love is gracious, ever patient, generous of heart and mind: May love be ours, O Lord.” LSB, #695, st. 2.

Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of good works.

Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.