Nice Folks
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and Matthew 7:21–23
Series: Comments on Galatians
I have known lots of people whom other people labeled as good. What they meant is that they thought those people were good neighbors, nice folks, downright decent people. They waved to the guy across the street, coached Little League, paid their taxes, obeyed the speed limit, went to church — or did whatever it is that polite society deems “good.” All of that may serve to keep the police away and in the end, have someone standing near their caskets, saying, “He was a good man.”
That is what people say. But the Scripture insists that there is no one good but God (Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; Romans 3:10-12, to name a few). We will not be able to claim any human merit before the judgment seat of God, where we must all appear one day (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). We may exclaim, But, Lord, I did this and that, and I did it all for you! No, after all is said, you did it for yourself, that you might be seen as good— by your neighbor and by God.
What matters is that we do the will of the Father, for such are the ones who will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). The will of the Father is that people believe in his Son (John 6:40). We may do all manner of good things on earth yet never be good in God's eyes. What makes us good in the eyes of the Father is faith in his Son, who gave himself that we might be saved from sin and death and hell. This is why the Son came to earth: to save people who might be nice folks but who are not fit for heaven.
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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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