The Sinning Saint

 

The Sinning Saint

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:6 and Genesis 15:1–6

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Father Abraham may have done lots of good things during his 175 years (Genesis 25:7–8). He also did many bad things; he sinned like we all do. Abraham (Abram at the time) is remembered particularly for breaking the Eighth Commandment. He feared for his life because his wife, Sarai, was so beautiful. He thought that someone in Egypt would kill him so that they could have his wife (Genesis 12:11–16). This story follows on the heels of Abram having displayed considerable faith in God’s promise (Genesis 12:1–4). 

In one scene, he trusts the Lord God by moving far away from the land of Ur yet, also distrusts him when it came to protecting his life in Egypt. God had promised he would bless those who bless Abram and curse those who do not. We thus, think of Abram, or rather Abraham, as both a saint and a sinner. His faith in God, however, was what made the difference (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). God reckoned his faith alone was righteousness. Luther wrote, “Righteousness is nothing else than believing God when he makes a promise (Luther’s Works, Vol. 3: Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 15-20). That is precisely what Abram did. He did not do so perfectly by trusting God’s promise in every instance of life. But he kept believing even after his failures to fully trust God. This only emphasizes all the more that Abram, or Abraham, was considered righteous by God through his faith, not his works.  

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