The Righteousness of God

The Righteousness of God

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:17 and Matthew 25:41-46

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

If Christ could be called a minister of the law (and he cannot), his command would be, “Believe!” The accomplishment of his perfect will then would be to believe in him, for this is what justifies a person with God. How difficult this would be, for we cannot even believe in God without grace and the power of the Spirit at work within us. No wonder people turn to the law and works, even though depending upon Moses is hopeless. 

I do not mean that the Law of Moses is of no use. The Holy Spirit uses it to convict the heart of sin and death. The resultant hopelessness makes one eager for the mercy of God. This is when the directive to believe brings righteousness and life. Eternal life is not the only result of belief in Christ. The other result is the prerequisite of righteousness, for eternal life is the result of a righteous life (Matthew 25:46). However, be especially clear on his point: the righteousness that is delivered through faith in Christ is not some goodness of your own. Your righteous standing before God depends upon faith — not your own good deeds. Rather, God imparts to you the very righteousness of Jesus Christ himself. This is the “righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Philippians 3:9).

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