The Triune God works through the Word to give the gift of faith and the Holy Spirit by means of which He daily puts to death the Old Adam in us. There are two ways in which others try to achieve a Christian life. Some groups become antinomian in their teaching, when they refuse to use the Law, but only the gospel. “There can be no true conversion or contrition where mortifying the flesh and good fruits do not follow” (Ap XII, 131). Others attempt to put the old Adam to death by means and ways which are not designated by God. These human ways all end up being human works, which can only change outward behavior, but do not put to death the sinful desires. “You don’t put the old nature to death , as these prophets do, through works, but through the hearing of the gospel” (Luther’s Works, v.40, p.148).
Resources:
Lesson Six Overheads Sources Feb 14 2016
Lesson Six The Ways and Means of God in Mortifying old Adam
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