The Work of God
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:6 and John 6:26–29
Series: Comments on Galatians
We clamor after Jesus for physical blessing or for approval (Matthew 7:21–23). We do religious things we imagine will gain God’s favor. The crowds, wanting to be sure they were doing the right things, asked him what specific works they should be doing. They wanted to know what works are the works of God; in other words, they wanted Jesus to tell them the things that would curry favor with the divine. Here is where it becomes unbelievable for a religious person.
Jesus responds, the work of God is to believe in the one God sent. The true work of God, the one that curries favor, if you must, is faith. Believe in Jesus; that is what pleases God. Yet his statement is two-edged and ironic. The work of God is truly that, for we cannot believe unless God gives us faith. Human, religious works will not do; it is the work of God within us that makes the difference. Religious reason wants otherwise, but faith is what God requires — and freely gives.
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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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