Grace Alone

Grace Alone

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10 and Acts 2:38–39

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Here is a test of our trust in God’s ability to save us utterly. In the Lutheran churches, as in most others, we believe that children are to be baptized. The promise is for them too. Besides, how else would they receive God’s grace and Holy Spirit? So, we baptize them, trusting in the promise of the Word.

Yet, there are those who say, but first, we must be involved. We have to reason, understand, believe. To this, Jesus would say, “Do not hinder the infants from coming to me” (Matthew 19:14). We do not, though some do, and with great emphasis on their considered doctrine. We are to be careful here, careful to trust in the Word instead of our reason, to trust in the importunity of God’s grace instead of the ability to comprehend our need of his good will. 

Christ alone makes us innocent of any transgression — even the original sin within us all — and does so by forgiving us our sins, assigning his righteousness to us, and filling us with this Holy Spirit. It is by God’s grace alone that we are given new life — even at the beginning of this earthly life.

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