The Commandment
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and John 6:27–30
Series: Comments on Galatians
Jesus complained that the crowds were only interested in his works — healings and feedings — instead of his word. We are much like those multitudes, and perhaps, worse. They gathered so that Jesus would do works that pleased them. We are prone to do works in order to appease God. Either way, we are not interested in his word.
God provided Abraham a promise but the people, for millennia and down to this day want to do works of the law in order to be justified to God. The Lord will have none of this; every work will be rejected if it is done to earn God’s favor. The commandment of God is not the doing of things in order to gain salvation. Our salvation and eternal life has already been acquired — but not by us. We can never work out our own salvation at any rate.
So, God promised Abraham a Savior of the world. His commandment is that we believe in him whom he has sent. God need not do more, nor do we. His command is simply that we believe, for he has given his word, and that is enough.
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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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