Verses: Galatians 1:13-17
“For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Devotion
Sunday was October 31st, and I cannot pass up this opportunity to guide us through a brief history lesson! I have included links for your own research and study. I hope this sparks your curiosity.
On October 31, 1517, legend has it that the priest and scholar Martin Luther approached the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nailed a piece of paper to it containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation.
In his theses, Luther condemned the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the papal practice of asking payment—called “indulgences”—for the forgiveness of sins.
Martin Luther was dedicated to the study of the Scriptures and it shaped his views and understanding of the gospel of grace not of works! One of these passages is the one we read above. Let’s see what Martin Luther had to say about it.
“These Jewish-Christian fanatics who pushed themselves into the Galatian churches after Paul’s departure, boasted that they were the descendants of Abraham, true ministers of Christ, having been trained by the apostles themselves, that they were able to perform miracles.
In every way they sought to undermine the authority of St. Paul. They said to the Galatians: ‘You have no right to think highly of Paul. He was the last to turn to Christ. But we have seen Christ. We heard Him preach. Paul came later and is beneath us. It is possible for us to be in error–we who have received the Holy Ghost? Paul stands alone. He has not seen Christ, nor has he had much contact with the other apostles. Indeed, he persecuted the Church of Christ for a long time.’
When men claiming such credentials come along, they deceive not only the naive, but also those who seemingly are well-established in the faith. This same argument is used by the papacy.”
Commentary on Galatians by Martin Luther
The Catholic Church tried to discredit and silence Martin Luther just as some of the early Church tried to do to Paul. The message of God’s grace which has no bounds and no dependence upon human ability was a threat to those in religious power. Also, their prejudices against the Gentiles made it difficult for them to believe that they were cleansed and worthy of being adopted into the Jewish family of faith. Paul defends himself by saying, I advanced in Judaism and I was zealous for the faith, but none of that matters because God chose me and called me through His grace to preach to the Gentiles.
In Ephesians 2:8-10, we see Paul spell it out clearly. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Our salvation comes from faith in Jesus alone! It’s not about how good you are, how often you read your Bible or pray or tithe. There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more and nothing that you can do that will make Him love you less! You have been chosen as His child and He has great things in store for you! The more we understand that the more we will want to know Him and walk with Him.
So, today, let’s remember the gift of grace that we have been given! And thank God for people like Paul and Luther who have defended the truth against all odds and despite threats of torture and death.
Prayer
Jesus I pray that you would help us examine our hearts. Show us where we might be striving or working for our salvation. Show us also where we have judged others who are under grace. Help us to study scriptures so that we will know when the truth is being distorted. And thank you for your faithful people who have gone before us! Amen
Fun fact: Luther was quite fond of Galatians. Indeed, he could refer to it as. “my own little letter, to which I have betrothed myself.”
Author: Michela Brownell
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