It Goes to Motive

 

It Goes to Motive

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:2 and Hebrews 11:1-6

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Some people want to follow the law because it makes them stand above the pack. If you do that or you don’t do this then I am better than you. Other people keep the law because they think it wins them God’s grace. Or worse, they believe that law-keeping gets them into heaven.

It goes to motive. Why do you want to keep the law or have everlasting life? If the answer is to love and please God, that is a fine motive. If your motive is to please others or to exact something from the Divine, then you are on the wrong track. Either requires faith since it is impossible to please God apart from faith (Hebrews 11:6). Works will not please him; faith pleases God. He is especially pleased when you continue in faith after you have failed in the works department. When Paul said, “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18), that was ironically the time to please God by persevering in faith. 

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