Compulsory Religion
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 2:3 and Ephesians 2:8-9
Series: Comments on Galatians
What in the world does circumcision or quantity of water or smoking or shouting in church or speaking in tongues have to do with Jesus? We put so many conditions on being a Christian. The false apostles of Paul’s day said that one must be circumcised or he is not a Christian. False apostles today make even more incredible claims. If you are not religiously correct by being baptized in a certain manner, you are not going to heaven. If you are not compliant with local church tradition, since you smoke or drink beer or go to the movies, you are hell-bound. If you fail to provide what they view as proper evidence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, like shouting in worship or speaking in tongues, then you are not a Christian. What does this have to do with believing on the name of Jesus for one’s salvation?
Salvation is not a result of evidence. Nor is salvation the result of being compelled to walk an aisle, kneel at a rail, speak in an unknown language, get dunked, or be culturally proper. Salvation comes from God’s action — not yours. Do not let anyone teach you otherwise.
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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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