Common-sense and Scripture

Common-sense and Scripture

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:7 and Romans 4:1–5

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

The Scripture is filled, from front to back, with the teaching that we are saved by faith in God — not by our works which are his due, our acts of obedience to the one who has already redeemed us. These works do not save us but simply show that God has already given us of his righteousness. The tree and its fruit provide us a clear example. The fruit does not make it a tree (though its seed may produce other trees) but one may see what kind of tree it is by the fruit it bears. Just so, our good works do not save us but may demonstrate to others that we are Christian people. 

There are not only common-sense examples like this but, as I say, the Bible is filled with this teaching: we are saved by faith, not by works (eg: Ephesians 2:8–9). Why then, would we make up ways that we save ourselves by certain good deeds or works of the law? The insertion of works into salvation insists that God’s grace is insufficient, that something more than Christ Jesus is necessary — that we are. Heresy! Christ alone justifies sinners. The good deeds of sinners can never do this; so says common-sense and Scripture. 

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