Why?

 

Why?

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:6 and John 16:27

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

The Great Physician does not care for us because we are not sick — because we are not sinners. He treats us in spite of our condition. Why? It is not because we are pious or try hard or vote for a certain party or have great morals or even because we keep working for our neighbor’s good. None of these things are a trade-off for God’s forgiveness and salvation. 

This does not mean that he is not pleased when we do good. Yet he is not pleased to offer us his grace in exchange for our goodness. In fact, we can do no good apart from his grace. Our efforts are imbued with sin unless they are motivated by his Spirit within us (Romans 7:18). Effort is not good enough for God. So, why in the world does God care for us and love us? 

The answer is far simpler than we want to believe. It just cannot be that simple, we reason. God’s answer is to shove reason aside and believe. Love Jesus; believe that the Father sent him to earth to die for your sins. Believe that, and the Father loves and cares for you. It is that simple. Add any other requirement and you are saying that Christ is insufficient to save us (John 12:44-50). 

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