#31 Part 12 Faith Confesses the Sickness of His Sin.For a true, saving faith has no existence in a proud, haughty, and self-assured heart. Instead, true, saving faith only exists in a humble, crushed, and repentant heart. Whoever does not yet confess the sickness of his sin—how can he, through true faith, bear a longing for Christ, the eternal Physician for sin (Mat. 9:12)? Anyone who does not yet realize his unworthiness and corruption—how shall he have a longing for the grace of God in Christ? Anyone who does not yet from the Law realize the heavy burden of sin and the divine wrath over sin—how is he to become hungry and thirsty for the righteousness which is proffered to him in the Gospel (Mat. 5:6)? From this, it consequently follows that true, humble contrition—which includes realizing one’s sinfulness and genuine regret or sorrow over it—and faith in Christ are part and parcel of true godliness. From such repentance grow good works as fruits thereof (Mat. 3:8). Indeed, before the fall into sin and during the state of innocence, repentance was not even necessary for godliness, nor was it an essential part of it. Also, in the practice of godliness, it was in no way even required that repentance had to be initiated in the beginning. For since in that blessed state there existed no sin, what would be the necessity for acknowledging sin? At that time, the Law did not serve mankind for the knowledge of sin and the wrath of God (Rom. 3:20; 4:15; 7:7). Instead, it only served to give directions for good works, in order that they could recognize in what manner and with what works they were to serve God the Lord. (Schola Pietatus-Volume 1 by Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, p. 17-18)
