Large Catechism 1
Part Second: Of the Creed.
Article III.
54] We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached concerning the Sacraments belongs here, and, in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin.
55] Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs, to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here. Thus, although we have sins, the [grace of the] Holy Ghost does not allow them to injure us, because we are in the Christian Church, where there is nothing but [continuous, uninterrupted] forgiveness of sin, both in that God forgives us, and in that we forgive, bear with, and help each other.
56] But outside of this Christian Church, where the Gospel is not, there is no forgiveness, as also there can be no holiness [sanctification]. Therefore all who seek and wish to merit holiness [sanctification], not through the Gospel and forgiveness of sin, but by their works, have expelled and severed themselves [from this Church].
The Scriptures:
Romans 6:4-7
4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.
Why not preach the cross that brings that death to sin and freedom from sin indeed? That's the basis for walking with God as a new creation, in holiness and righteousness all our days (Luke 1:75; Ephesians 4:20-24), not build upon a foundation of bondage to sin still.
John 8:34-36
34 Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 A slave does not live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
1 John 3:6-9
6 Whoever remains in him does not sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him. 7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever is born of God does not commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
The Gospel that Jesus has delivered to the world to be preached to all brings about the destruction of the "works of the devil" (1 John 3:8) in the life of the believer/disciple of Jesus. It open eyes, brings from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God (Acts 26:18; 2 Timothy 2:26). That's the foundation that is established through repentance and faith in Jesus (Acts 20:20-21).
A path of righteousness is established on the basis of a departure from unrighteousness in answering the call to repentance, and the continuity of obeying Jesus faithfully (that is faith), empowered by God's grace.
Luke 6:46
Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?
Romans 6:8-16
8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him. 10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Absolutely not. 16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, whether of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
It's not just about trusting in what Jesus has done. He has spoken and his words that lead to eternal life show a way (the only way to the Father) to follow and that affirms what the Bible presents as freedom from sin (John 8:36, Romans 6:18) and a "way of righteousness" that one follows as a righteous person, no longer a sinner/wicked person still (2 Peter 2:21). For it's not a sinner still that is found on the other side of repentance and conversion (Acts 3:19; Luke 18:13-14). And confession of sins to God with a contrite heart must be accompanied with forsaking of sin (Proverbs 28:13), or there is no true contrition of "godly sorrow" (2 Corinthians 7:10) that brings about reconciliation to God for sinners who are considered his enemies before they are reconciled to Him (Romans 5:6-11). One is not reconciled to remain an enemy.
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Large Catechism
Part Fifth: Of the Sacrament of the Altar.
53] Now, this is to be the first point, especially for those who are cold and indifferent, that they may reflect upon and rouse themselves. For this is certainly true, as I have found in my own experience, and as every one will find in his own case, that if a person thus withdraw from this Sacrament, he will daily become more and more callous and cold, and will at last disregard it altogether. 54] To avoid this, we must, indeed, examine heart and conscience, and act like a person who desires to be right with God. Now, the more this is done, the more will the heart be warmed and enkindled, that it may not become entirely cold.
55] But if you say: How if I feel that I am not prepared? Answer: That is also my scruple, especially from the old way under the Pope, in which a person tortured himself to be so perfectly pure that God could not find the least blemish in us. On this account we became so timid that every one was instantly thrown into consternation and said to himself: Alas! you are unworthy! 56] For then nature and reason begin to reckon our unworthiness in comparison with the great and precious good; and then it appears like a dark lantern in contrast with the bright sun, or as filth in comparison with precious stones. Because nature and reason see this, they refuse to approach and tarry until they are prepared, so long that one week trails another, and one half year the other. 57] But if you are to regard how good and pure you are, and labor to have no compunctions, you must never approach.
The Scriptures:
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
These reasonings above are rooted in human wisdom, trusting in one's own understanding (or that of other men) like Proverbs 3:5 tells us not to do, and in pride certainly, having been taught wrong the way to approach God. Remember, the message given is "repent or perish" (Luke 13:1-5). The Ninevites got it. When we depart from that message and offer other ways to be made right with God, pride certainly has room to creep in, rather than the fear of God bearing upon people's consciences. God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5) who come to Him in full surrender of their lives to Him (Mark 8:34-35) — the way He has commanded. This is what is required in answering that call to repentance and approaching God in humility (dust and ashes) for forgiveness on the account of Jesus' shed blood and the beginning of a relationship:
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
There is no "absolution" from God (and not through the works of a priest as under the Mosaic Law) without that.
James 1:21-22
21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness [that's repentance], receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word [that's faith], and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.
James 4:7-10
7 Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Job 28:28
He said to mankind, "The fear of the LORD--that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding."
Jesus unequivocally taught that the people of Nineveh could teach this generation about repentance:
Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
(Jonah 3:10
When God saw their actions--they turned from their evil way of living!--God relented concerning the judgment he had threatened them with and he did not destroy them.)
So, next to what is done by Jesus and that we can trust in is what we are called to do: the deeds of our faith, not the works of the Mosaic Law. This is mentioned to dispel the myth that all works mentioned in the Bible are the same or that we won't be judged each one of us according to our deeds/works (John 5:29; Romans 2:6; Revelation 22:11-12). In repentance, there are works consistent with repentance that are expected (Matthew 3:8; Acts 26:20; what Zacchaeus did as was applicable to his own circumstances - Luke 19:8; what the former practitioners of magic did - Acts 19:19; what the prodigal son did after coming to his senses - Luke 15:17-20).
Jesus' words saying "Come to me" and "learn from me" (cf. Matthew 11:28-30) cannot have a substitute in what a sacrament is made my man to stand for.
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1. The Large Catechism by Martin Luther
https://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=950
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Call to Repentance
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