Connection with the preceding commonplace.
Connection with the preceding commonplace.
§ 1. All of Christianity consists not in mere knowledge [γνῶσις] but also in practice [πρᾶξις], as Christ teaches: “He who does and teaches these will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:19). “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). The words of Ignatius (Letter 3 ad Magnesianos) pertain here: “It is fit not only to be called but also to be Christians, for He does not make us to be called blessed, but rather He makes us to be blessed.” So also it should by no means be decided that it is sufficient to know the doctrine of the Law and the Gospel unless we are eager to bring this into practice in a true conversion to God. In fact, as Dr. Luther points out in his Propositiones de indulgentiis against Tetzel (thesis 1): “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, orders us to repent, He wants the entire Christian life to be constant repentance.”1 Therefore it is in fitting order that the doctrine of the Law and of the Gospel should be followed by the doctrine of repentance, which is a living practice of the Law and Gospel.