As more and more “evangelical” sermons attempt to discuss both faith and what they purport really pleases God, we do well to remember how our heavenly Father creates our faith because He is pleased with His own, Sole-Begotten Son. He daily drowns us to our sin to restore us to life. (Titus 3:5, Ps. 51:10-12) This Christ-given repentance and forgiveness springs from our Christ-bestowed Baptism.
Dr. C. F. Walther preached on the distinction between saving faith and daily renewal in his sermon from The Daily Renewing of the Christian in the Image of God
Ephesians 4:22-28
19th Sunday after Trinity, 1841
C. F. W. Walther
(Translated by E. Myers)
True, in justification and regeneration we are born as God’s children, and thus the
beginning according to God’s image is brought about in us. But at first we are still
weak infants, who must receive their daily nourishment and strengthening in renewal
if they are not to die and perish again.
In justification we are like the one who fell among murderers. Christ indeed took
pity on us and bound up our deep wounds of sin with the balm of His gracious gospel.
But now, in daily renewal, we must remain under the treatment of His Holy Spirit
until we are fully healed when He returns and calls us to Himself by a blessed death
out of the hospital of this world. Justification and the new birth are the spiritual
creation. The daily renewal of the Christian is the work of spiritual preservation.
…
Not only do true Christians
have daily new experiences of their sinfulness, but also daily ever new experiences
of the kindness of God, and the power of His grace. Daily they repent anew, believe
anew, love anew, and fight and overcome anew.”
(Note: I got these quotations from a sermon on a website holding a collection of his work, whose name, woefully cannot remember.)
Nevertheless, as we pray God to grow us in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18), we ask Him to direct our days, our actions, and lives in His peace.
