Captive to Goodness

Captive to Goodness

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:1-5 and Psalm 53:1-3

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

The elderly gentleman was what they called a pillar of the church. He upheld his church in every way: present each time the doors were opened for worship and study, working on the meeting house and grounds, giving, praying, and helping others in need. He had worked hard at being good because being good was the proper thing to be. He had probably been taught as a boy to be good. 

So, it was a shock to his old system to be told one day at Bible class that he was not good. In fact, he became indignant when the teacher insisted the Scriptures teach that no one is good. Were this not so, “good” people would not need a deliverer. That brother would have no need of Christ. 

That fine fellow lived in an evil world where the devil twists our decent actions into religion. The man’s indignation showed the religious nature of his charity and devotion. He was not a bad man, sociologically speaking, but he was not a good man either — theologically speaking. He enjoyed a “good reputation” and was somehow defamed to hear that the reason he needed a Savior was because he was not good. He knew he needed a Savior because Jesus was part of his upbringing but he really believed he was a good man too — good all on his own. He was a captive to his goodness. Being good was his religion. Christ was an ornament in his temple.

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