The Sacrament of Penance (Part 3)

Repentant Peter by El Greco

I can't believe it has been more than ten days since I posted anything from my readings in "The Sacrament of Penance," written by Martin Luther in 1519 A.D.  If you recall, I am exploring the question, "what is this faith?" as penned by the great German theologian in the aforementioned essay.  Here, as a reminder, is the quote that first struck me:

Everything, then, depends on faith, which alone makes the sacraments accomplish that which they signify, and everything that the priest says come true.  For as you believe, so it is done for you.  Without this faith all absolution and all sacraments are in vain and indeed do more harm than good.  There is a common saying among the teachers that goes like this:  Not the sacrament, but the faith that believes the sacrament is what removes sin.  St. Augustine says this:  The sacrament removes sin, not because it takes place, but because it is believed.  For this reason in the sacrament one must studiously discern faith...

I am attempting to faithfully accomplish that goal, again asking the question referenced above.  For this installment, I looked at paragraphs 5-6 of "The Sacrament of Penance," recalling always the lens through which Luther processes:  1) the comfort and consolation of the believer, and 2) his understanding of the keys of the kingdom as presented in Matthew 16:19:

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

5.  SUMMARY:  In paragraph four, Luther dealt with the fact that only God can accomplish the forgiveness of sin and the forgiveness of guilt.  But how does He do that?  Does He provide an earthly method whereby the believer can be assured and comforted that such forgiveness has taken place?  Yes, Luther says:

The true way and the right method, without which there is no other, is that most worthy, gracious, and holy sacrament of penance, which God gave for the comfort of all sinners when he gave the keys to St. Peter...

The theologian continues:

This holy, comforting, and gracious word of God must enter deeply into the heart of every Christian, where he may with great gratitude let it become part of him.

Then, Luther defines the sacrament of penance for us:

For the sacrament of penance consists in this:  forgiveness of sin, comfort and peace of conscience, besides joy and blessedness of heart over against all sins and terrors of conscience, as well as against all despair and assaults by the gates of hell.

My thoughts:  It is important to remember that what Luther is describing here is an earth-bound process that comforts the believer on a spiritual level.  The amends making that is described by the phrase "forgiveness of sin" has already been accomplished for us by the death and resurrection of Christ.  Our faith in Christ, in who He is and in what He did for us by dying and rising again, grabs hold of that forgiveness for us.  The comfort and peace of conscience is the forgiveness of guilt that has been mentioned in previous posts.  The joy and blessedness of heart should follow for us as we repeatedly (hopefully daily) recall the enormity of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf so that we can stand before God at peace and pure.

6.  SUMMARY.  Here, Luther breaks down the earth-bound process described in paragraph five even further by sharing this:

Now there are three things in the holy sacrament of penance.  The first is absolution.  These are the words of the priest which show, tell, and proclaim to you that you are free and that your sins are forgiven you by God...

The second is grace, the forgiveness of sins, the peace and comfort of the conscience, as the words declare.

The third is faith, which firmly believes that the absolution and words of the priest are true, by the power of Christ's words, "Whatever you loose...shall be loosed..."

Paragraph six also offers a description of Luther's understanding of a sacrament:

...a holy sign, because in it one hears the words [of God] externally that signify spiritual gifts within, gifts by which the heart is comforted and set at peace.

My thoughts:  Again, it is crucial to recall that Christ has already made amends for the sins you have committed.  Absolution, if you will, is a done deal.  The words of the priest referred to in this first part of the sacrament are merely a reminder to you of the incredible sacrificial gift that was given for you (Christ).  The second part of the sacrament, grace, has to do with that forgiveness of guilt concept that comforts and consoles the believer.  The third part, faith, is the activator of all because it believes in Christ and in what was done by Christ for the believer.  As Luther said, the sacrament is a physical externality that signifies a spiritual reality.

Located at the end of paragraph six are the words that set off this project:

Everything, then depends on this faith...

Stay tuned as I continue to explore.