Section XIII: The Necessity of Rendering Obedience to the Divine Law, § 207.
SECTION XIII: THE NECESSITY OF RENDERING OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE LAW
The Law must be obeyed.
§ 207. Moreover, this obedience which is owed to the Law must have its beginning in the reborn in this life. For Scripture describes those who truly believe and are reborn in this way: They are guarded against external lapses and sins against conscience. They walk in good works and give outward obedience in accord with the Law. The Holy Spirit begins in them new impulses of heart, mind, will, and all their members according to each of the Commandments. In their spirit—that is, by the new powers given them by the Holy Spirit—they battle against their corrupted desires and mortify their flesh. However, because in all of this they do not fulfill as much as the Law demands, they also acknowledge the uncleanness and weakness that still clings to them and to their works. They confess that they are righteous in God’s sight by faith, not by their own works. They implore that their sins be covered and that they be ruled by the Holy Spirit. By such faith, which lights their way, and by the true fear of God, good works are done.
To this belongs Luther’s observation that we use God’s Law “lawfully” [1 Tim. 1:8] in this way: (1) If we consider every day what the Law requires of us. (2) If we thank God for sending His Son as our Redeemer, who freed us from the curse of the Law. (3) If we further make confession of our sins by which we have transgressed the Law and hope for their forgiveness through Christ. (4) If we add prayer that He may make us zealous for good works by His Spirit and write His Law onto our heart.
Chemnitz lists the summons that should invite us to obey the Law in this order ([Loc.,] de lege, ch. 8, p. 255): (1) True faith longs to be free from sins, and therefore it will be a tireless encourager to avoid sins and to do good works. (2) Along with faith is given the Holy Spirit, who drives us to do good. Therefore one must be careful not to sadden nor drive out this Guest. (3) The love of God, manifested toward us by so many benefits, should make us love God and keep His Commandments, for it is the nature of a lover to be obedient to his beloved. (4) Out of filial reverence we should be very careful not to offend God, our kind Father. Now, just as love reminds itself of God’s benefits, promises, and examples of rewards by which the inner man is sweetly invited to obedience, so also filial reverence reminds itself of God’s wrath, warning, and examples of punishments by which the outer man is coerced and restrained.1
The means that lead us to sincere obedience are: the hearing of and meditation on the Word, sincere prayer, fleeing from opportunities for sin, etc. Ps. 1:2: “Blessed is the man who meditates on the Law of the Lord day and night.” Ps. 119:11: “I have laid up Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Deut. 6:6–8: “The words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children; you shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand,” etc.
1 Chemnitz’s Works 8:792.