Seeing the Light
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:16 and John 1:1-5
Series: Comments on Galatians
When he was 23 years old, John Calvin, a contemporary of Luther’s in France, like Paul, had a sudden conversion. He believed that God had personally addressed him in the Scriptures. From that point, Calvin’s life was directed toward God instead of the law and humanism. His life was immediately changed, as was Paul’s on the Damascus road, as was Luther’s in a lightning storm. All transitions involved light: Paul’s a blinding light, Luther’s lightning, and Calvin’s illumination in God’s Word.
Of course, all three may be understood as seeing the gospel light: Paul heard Jesus speak on the road, Luther was driven from the storm into a thorough exploration of Scripture, and Calvin became an ardent student and teacher of God’s Word.
Only by the illumination of God may one see the light. When you do “see the light” as the Lord speaks to you in his Word, obey. Obey immediately, else the change may never come.
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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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