The Troubled Conscience
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 2:14 and 2 Timothy 2:15
Series: Comments on Galatians
How does one rightly handle (or divide, as the King James puts it) the Word of God? It begins by understanding that God’s Word contains both law and gospel. There are things God would have us do — and not do. This is part of the law portion of God’s Word and contains both moral and ceremonial code. The former is what we typically think of when we consider the law. The Ten Commandments are the best place to begin and end this discussion, as the rest of the laws are based on the original ten that Moses brought down from his meeting with God on Mount Sinai.
Love the Lord your God and your neighbor, honor you momma and your daddy, do not lie or murder or cheat or lust, honor the day of the Lord. God would have us keep these laws, these commands that we simply call the law — as well as keep a host of other precepts based on those ten. Sometimes we succeed but at times, we fail. We must then keep trying to honor God by attempting to keep his ways. Yet many give up trying when they have failed too often. This is because they do not rightly divide the Word of truth.
God’s Word is not only law, but gospel or grace as well. At times the law is so harsh with your inability to keep it that your conscience may you tell you, God cannot possibly love a sinner like me. At such times we are prone to give up the faith. This is when we must listen to the gospel. Once the law has done its job of driving you back to God, hear the gracious words of heaven; accept God’s mercy. Refreshed by his grace, you may try once again to be faithful. Just remember that the right handling of God’s Word means that you must also accept his grace when your works have failed you — because they will disappoint and your conscience will be troubled. That is a good thing; it is what the law is meant to accomplish. Now let the gospel do its work in you too.
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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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