# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1902_S35
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Tenth Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1902. 35

...when consciences terrified by the sight of their sins and by God's judgment
feel the Law [that is, the sentence of the Law], we should not take refuge in
our own doing and works. For sin cannot be overcome by our works. . . . A
higher power, a greater strength, is required to overcome sin. Troubled souls
must therefore be taught, first . . . to cast away all hope in their own merit;
and then to look to this word: "Their transgression is forgiven," and to throw
themselves upon Christ, who became a curse for us, that he might redeem us
from the curse — who for that reason suffered and was crucified — so that we,
once our sins are overcome, might live righteous in faith, as those reconciled
to the Father through the blood of the Son and accounted righteous through
faith in the Son. This is our doctrine, of which we know that it is powerful
to raise up consciences."*) We too must hold fast to this doctrine, and
remain unentangled with Harnack and all teachers of works, if we would
rightly quiet consciences.

3.

The Christian church is to lead people back to the service of God, to make
them rich in good works. To use a modern expression: the Christian church is
to cultivate "Christian morality." That, too, is a purpose of the redemption
accomplished through Christ. St. Paul writes of Christ in Titus 2:14: "Who
gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works." The
good works of men do not suffice to attain salvation. For the attainment of
salvation, Christ's perfect works alone are sufficient. But the good works of
Christians are not therefore to be held in low regard. They are exceedingly
precious. They are worth more than the whole world. For the world and
everything in it will burn on the Last Day. But the good works of Christians
do not burn; rather they follow after Christians into eternity, and God
crowns them with a glorious reward of grace. Good works are an eternal
treasure that Christians are to gather for themselves here on earth. Among
the duties of a Christian preacher is also the care that all members of the
congregation grow rich in good works.

But how do good works come about? Only through faith in the gospel; only
when it is taught that salvation comes not from the works of man but through
faith in Christ the Crucified. Whoever places the essence of Christianity in
human morality,

*) Ibid., 473 f.