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| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 2044 Registered: 7-2004  |
This is from a paper I wrote for a Lutheran theology course where I am diverging slightly from mainstream Lutheran thought: *A note of clarification for all those reading. "Law" in the Lutheran sense of the word refers to any command of God rather than specifically to the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Law. When we are told not to gossip in the NT, this would be "Law" from a Lutheran viewpoint. The concept of the third use of the law suggests that the Mosaic law has an ongoing instructional use in the life of believers. This “instruction” directs a believer toward living a more godly or righteous life. As such, this third use of the law is for the sanctification of believers. The Book of Galatians argues against a sanctifying use of the law among believers. Christians from diverse backgrounds are quick to affirm that the law does not save us, as Paul describes in Gal 2:16 “a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified”. It is important to understand what “law” is being discussed in Galatians. It is a popular misconception to conclude that the “law” being pushed upon the Galatians were rabbinical Jewish laws (or “Talmudic” laws) that were added above and beyond the law given in Scripture. However, the consistent use and meaning of law throughout the book of Galatians argues against this notion. Gal 4:21-25 makes clear that the law being discussed is the law given at Sinai. Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. The law that comes from Mount Sinai is the law given by God, including, and particularly, the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments are referred to specifically as the covenant given to Israel (at Sinai) in Deut 5. Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I am speaking today in your hearing, that you may learn them and observe them carefully. "The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, with all those of us alive here today. "The LORD spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire, while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said, …<the>…"These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly at the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom, with a great voice, and He added no more. He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me While Gal 4 may be the clearest reference in the book, it is far from the only reference making clear what law is being presented to the converted Galatians as being important to follow. Gal 3:17 makes clear that the law in question came 430 years after the promise to Abraham. Again, this is the law that God gave through Moses including the 10 commandments. Furthermore, it would make no sense that Rabbinical laws, not given in Scripture, would be the laws that would lead one to Christ (Gal 3:24) or shut one under sin (Gal 3:22). The contextual basis is abundantly clear, the law being discussed in Galatians is the Law of God given at Sinai, which includes the 10 commandments. Having established what Law is actually being discussed within the book, we can begin looking at what is said about this Law. Some group in Galatia, claiming to be followers of Christ, was presenting a teaching that was anti-Gospel (Gal 1:8-10). All indications from the book itself are that the false gospel being taught centered around teachings of the law. Paul expounds on the danger of the law as an avenue to righteousness. In Gal 5:3 he points out that if a person is going to insist on observing one aspect of the law as necessary, they are actually placing themselves underneath the authority of the entire law; and he continues in verse 4 to call this falling away from grace. The mirrors the theme of Gal 3:10, where Paul states: All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. As soon as we turn to the law, we find ourselves cursed. None of us does “everything” written in the book of the Law, yet “everything” is what the Law requires. Ultimately the “instruction” that the law can provide to us is that we fall short continually, and are in need of a Savior. Which is the same conclusion that Paul comes to a few verses later when he states that the law is a schoolmaster (a source of instruction?) to lead us to Christ, but that once we come to Christ we are no longer under this instruction; vs 25 “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” In regards to the role of the law in sanctification, Gal 3:1-3 addresses this directly. You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Throughout this book Spirit/faith is contrasted with flesh/law. The phrase “being perfected” would be a very good synonym for the concept of sanctification. So Paul asks the Galatians, and by extension each of us, rhetorically, “having been justified by faith through the actions of the Spirit, are we foolish enough to believe that we will be sanctified by the works of the Law in the flesh?” Clearly the intended answer is “no”. Our life with God, from start to finish, is by the action of His Spirit not by our actions. This is consistent with the uniquely Lutheran teaching of monergistic justification and sanctification. “Sanctification means that the Spirit permeates everything the Christian thinks, says and does. The Christian's personal holiness is as much a monergistic activity of the Holy Spirit as is his justification and conversion. The Spirit who alone creates faith is no less active after conversion than He was before.” Yet these 3 short verses are not the only place in Galatians where Paul makes this point. Later in this same chapter he plainly states that righteousness can not come through this or any law (vs 21). I do not believe that it is a speculative leap to conclude that this limitation regarding righteousness applies to sanctification just as much as it applies to justification. The law is very good at accomplishing the role of pointing out sin, but it was never made to, or capable of, increasing a person’s righteousness. Our observation of the law, or our attempt to conform more closely to the law, does not sanctify us. Paul goes on to give a detailed contrast of how ongoing life in the Spirit operates differently than instruction by the Law. Gal 5:13-23 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. There is a great deal in this short passage; particularly when we realize the immediate literary context of a discussion about not being placed in subjection to the Law of God given at Sinai. In proclaiming a believer’s freedom from the law of God, Paul gives no ground to those who would take this as a “get out of jail free card” that results in sin reigning in their lives. Christ’s death provides the full pardon, and the freedom from the law. But when we join in Christ’s death through baptism, we also join in the resurrection through the new birth. We become God’s children, and His Spirit dwells within us. The result of His Spirit dwelling in us is that He produces fruit. And there are no laws against this fruit. Which is contrasted with the “fruit” or deeds of our flesh. And if there were any chance that we might be confused about whether it is God’s Spirit or our flesh leading us to an action, the descriptions in these verses help make real clear which is which. This short description by Paul in Galatians is very similar to the longer description of flesh, law and Spirit found in Romans 7 and 8. Interestingly this also helps to explain how we can both be free from the law through grace and yet establish the law (Rom 3:31). Those who look to their deeds of the law as a form of righteousness are forced to either continually conclude that they are a failure or to lessen the full demands of the law into something that they can come closer to achieving. When one lessens the demands of the law, they are undermining both the law itself and the Holiness of God (and minimizing the value of Christ’s death!). But when one has been truly freed from the demands of the law by a full and complete pardon, they no longer have a fear of that law. They can see their shortcomings within that law and not require any softening of its demands, because they know that all of the demands of the law have already been met and freely credited to them. You aren’t afraid to admit that you are a sinner when you truly know that God has already forgiven that sin. I believe that law (in the general sense of all instruction from God is law) continues to function pointing out sin to believers. Certainly we have been promised that the Holy Spirit will perform this task (John 16:8-9). But the fact that believers needed written instructions, and rebukes, from the Apostles shows that God’s Word has an ongoing role. I believe that this is because of the battle that continues to be waged between our flesh and the Spirit. We can long for the things of the flesh and try to convince ourselves that this desire is really coming from God. But His instruction (law) shows us our sin plainly. The law does not give us the desire to do what it good and loving, it is only able to show us that we are not being completely good and loving. Our righteousness comes from God’s work, not our own. It is the result of faith from beginning to end, as expressed in Rom 1:17a NIV “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last” | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 1772 Registered: 7-2003  |
It's not often that I read something where I can say I agree with nearly every word, but in this case I believe it's true. Good luck with your professors. I would be interested to hear their response. I'm fairly certain that not even everyone here would agree with monergistic sanctification. I've heard this disparagingly referred to as "passive sanctification". Such a remark misses Paul's point regarding flesh vs. Spirit I think. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14644 Registered: 12-2003  |
Rick, this is excellent. Thank you so much for sharing this! I agree: sanctification is monergistic, not something we help accomplish. These two paragraphs are so good:
Thank you! Colleen | ||
| Sheilaaallen Registered user Username: Sheilaaallen Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2012 |
Thank you Rick for sharing your paper, I found it helpful for keeping the law and its purpose in the right perspective. | ||
| Leifl Registered user Username: Leifl Post Number: 62 Registered: 3-2014  |
Rick, This is excellent. Would it be possible for me to post this on my blog with full credit given? www.youarecompleteinhim.com |
