Bargaining Chips
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and Judges 11:29–34
Series: Comments on Galatians
When we insist that our works are necessary for salvation — instead of being simply evidence of faith and salvation — then we are no longer worshiping God, if we ever did. Now we are worshiping ourselves. Though we might not insist dogmatically that our religious deeds are necessary for earning or keeping God’s favor, we nevertheless assert they are when we feel sin guilt and then try to assuage God by going to church, doing penance, sending a check to a missionary, or doing something nice for the neighbor. This does not pacify God; likely it does the opposite.
God is pleased when we worship him in faith. Even our religious practices and other good deeds please him when done in faith. Yet, they are never done in faith when we use them as bargaining chips. God forgives you for Christ’s sake, not because of your deeds. When we think the latter is true, even if unthinkingly, we worship ourselves.
Our loving Father has already promised to be for us, not against us. When we try to bargain with him or make deals, we are calling him a liar. This always goes poorly for us, even as it did with Jephthah and his daughter.
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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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