It’s Laughable
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:6 and Genesis 18:9–14
Series: Comments on Galatians
God made an unbelievable promise to old Abraham and Sarah. Advanced in years as he and his wife were, he promised them a child. Poor Sarah had been childless and now, was well beyond childbearing years. Yet, there was the promise, hanging before them. Would they believe that God was able to do what he promised? Paul tells us that Abraham believed in “hope against hope” (Romans 4:18 NASB).
That belief in God’s promise when all seemed hopeless was what was counted to Abraham as righteousness. The rest of the story is that God did follow through on his promise and Abraham has become the father of many nations. So, Abraham’s story of faith becomes our own. For we who believe are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).
A promise has been made to us that is more hopelessly laughable (Genesis 18:9–14) than the promise made to Abraham and Sarah. We too are to believe with hope against hope that God is able to do what he promises. He promises sinners righteousness and eternal life simply for having faith is his Christ. When we look in the spiritual mirror it is hard not to laugh. Yet, believe we must, for faith is, as Luther says, “the prime duty.”
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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