The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Gal 5:19-21a NIV)

Listen to these works of the flesh. Works, that are feared only by a few, but are practiced by many – enjoyed and loved by most just as they promote them lavishly. What names, what sins, what vices and crimes! And yet so common, widespread and even popular in the Christian congregation. One could just focus on the names and try to focus on them individually. Yet, what would that serve? Who would take note of that? Who would despise them more for that? It seems more helpful to let those names stand and to ask the Holy Spirit, that he would burn them into our souls as a warning and punishment. Yes, it seems better to just briefly and succinctly point out the words. It is not my intention to withhold comfort and forgiveness from repenting sinners. Yet the many impudent and unrepentant trespassers receive no forgiveness. The greatest benefit to them are powerful, serious and punishing warnings and reprimands. Their disrespectful dedication to sin and vice will only become apparent in its entirety and perniciousness when it is already too late.

Holy God, merciful father! Teach us to be vigilant and prayerful, so that we do not consent willingly into any sin, but rather distance ourselves from them and withstand them steadfastly to preserve body and soul pure and undefiled. Let us recognize more and more vividly that your wholesome commandments show us the way to life. We commit ourselves and all that we are into your gracious guidance; keep us from all evil and lead us on your ways through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Church book of the Palatinate 1927)

Come confess! Come confess! Come confess here at the cross. If your hope and courage leave you If you’ve caused some pain or loss, face your sin, what’s hurt and broken, Go to Christ who can forgive and bless Come confess! Come, confess. (Tr. G. Tönsing )

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the fourteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 316 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.