Editing the Gospel

 

Editing the Gospel

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:1-5 and Hebrews 7:24-27

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

The child was in hiding, guilt-ridden, but also afraid of his dad’s anger. His dad was bewildered. He had always forgiven him, always helped him out of a mess, always loved him.

Guilt does this to us. If held onto, guilt becomes an irrational fear. It begins with feeling badly about some wrongdoing. If the guilt is held to long enough it becomes a fear of the one whom we feel badly about displeasing. It has little or nothing to do with how that person actually thinks of us. It is simply a feeling that has grown and twisted in our minds.

It is best to look at guilt objectively. What does the gospel tell us God did for us? Answer: he died for our sins. Why did he die for our sins? Answer: because he loves us. Which sins is the gospel speaking of — ones committed before belief or also those committed after saving faith? Answer: he died for your sins because he loves you. Do not let your guilt edit the gospel. God loves you. He died for your sins — all of them. Every last one of them. If this were not true, he would have to be sacrificed again for your subsequent sins. This, of course, cannot be done, nor is there a need for it, as is written by another hand: “we have been made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (italics mine, Hebrews 10:10)

The short of it is: God still loves and you have been sanctified by the one offering of Christ — not by your ability to remain guilt-free. Paradoxically, one may actually live largely free of guilt by knowing and believing that good news.

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