Cause and Effect
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:11 and Ephesians 2:5–10
Series: Comments on Galatians
Faith that is supposedly formed by performing charitable works is works without faith. Works would have to be performed for some time in order to achieve any sort of faith. This makes salvation and all the gifts of Christ things which we give ourselves. Under such a religious system, we earn Christ’s gifts. Now, even a child, a very young child, sees through this quickly. This is no gift at all. It is work. But we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5) and this through faith in him, not faith in our works or faith that is formed by works so that we put no stock in our works (Ephesians 2:9). We are God’s workmanship, not our own. Works are not the cause of our faith and salvation; they — and all the gifts of Christ — are the result.
Share this post
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.
Click Here For Content Archives