Sola Devotions

The Smalcald Articles – part 65

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1

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Exodus 20:1

From the Confessions: The Smalcald Articles 

The fruits of this sin are the ensuing evil deeds that are forbidden in the Ten Commandments, such as unbelief, false faith, idolatry, being without the fear of God, presumption, despair, blindness, and in short, not knowing or regarding God — and further: lying, swearing by God’s name, not praying or calling upon God, disregard for God’s Word, disobedience to parents, murder, unchastity, thievery, deceit, and so forth.

Pulling It Together: Near the beginning, Adam and Eve paid no attention to what God spoke. He told them that they may eat of all manner of things in the garden of Eden, but that they must not eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So, what did they do? Yes, they ate of that tree but of more import, they did not listen. They gave the Lord no heed, and the result was sin.

This sin is a sin we all share. At our sinful core, we do not care what God says. We — each and all — neglect God’s Word. Without his grace, we would have nothing to do with it — or him. The result of this old Adam within us, is a profusion of sin which we must drown with daily repentance and sorrow, putting it to death so that under the promise of Christian baptism, the new Adam (Eph 2:14–16) may continue to rise up and live before God in the righteousness and purity Christ provides through forgiveness and sanctification.

Prayer: Give me such faith, Lord, that I may continue to believe in your Word. Amen.

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Author

Mark Ryman

Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.