Standing Alone

Standing Alone

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:6-9 and Hebrews 4:12-13

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Our faith is in God in Christ, and the hope within us abounds because of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). But what is our faith based upon? Is it founded upon the church? Is it a Sunday School teacher or priest who establishes your faith? Does faith come to each of us by special revelation — some gnosis or mystical enlightenment? Or do you simply insist, Well, that’s just what I believe? God help you if your faith is based on such flimsy foundations.

The final word belongs to God. Churches have been wrong — even with Scripture in hand. People too often read into God’s book what they want it to say so that their traditions are upheld. Sunday School teachers sometimes teach denominational dogma instead of God’s word or only use Scripture to prove their own points. Priests may promote tradition instead of Scriptures when their tradition may not have a thing to do with God’s will. How do you know if their teachings are God’s teachings? How do you know if you are enlightened or befuddled? How may you know that what you believe is what God wants you to believe?

Open his book for yourself. Let your faith rest in, or as Luther put it, be subordinated to, what Sacred Scriptures say. Do not trust in your feelings or in someone else’s passionate proclamation. Indeed, do not trust what I have written here; check this against God’s Word. It is a child’s song but the message is mature: “I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!” If you stand on the Word of God alone, you will never stand alone.

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