Thursday, October 12, 2017
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
IN JESUS WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE (3)
The Savior says, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed ... "
Many today contend that it doesn't matter if one departs from the Bible in some things. In fact, they often criticize us who hold to Bible teaching, as though we're the ones who don't know what real freedom is. Well, in keeping with the Savior's exhortation to "abide in My word," St. Paul writes, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9). Simply put, the "yeast" of doctrinal error can undermine and even destroy the gospel of the truth that sets one free.
A couple years ago a report came that "Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, and slept on the floor as acts of penitence and to bring him closer to Christian perfection...." It's clear evidence that the church of the Pope still rejects the gospel that sets sinners free. Its faithful adherents remain in the bondage of sin and work-righteousness.
Also to the Galatians Paul wrote: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). To which Luther comments: "Our conscience is free and quiet because it no longer has to fear the wrath of God. This is real liberty, compared with which every other kind of liberty is not worth mentioning. Who can adequately express the boon that comes to a person when he has the heart-assurance that God will nevermore be angry with him, but will forever be merciful to him for Christ’s sake...."
From that we can see why Luther dubbed the book of Galatians his "Katherine von Bora." It was his way of saying that its message of true Christian liberty was-- even as his wife-- worth everything to him.
We treasure the same gospel message! With Paul Speratus (1484-1551), who worked with Luther in producing the first Lutheran hymn-book, we joyfully sing:
Salvation unto us has come By God's free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one Redeemer.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 377:1)
