The Gospel Seminar

"Luther Quotation": 20C

"So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2;16)


The integrity of the gospel of Jesus Christ stands and falls on a proper and biblical understanding of justification by Christ alone. Add/combine any effort/work on my part not only nullifies all of Christ's efforts but sabotages any personal and intimate benefits that the Spirit imparts to those who only and completely trust Christ for their justification.
Hear Luther make this important distinction to the glory of Jesus and for the benefit of his readers:

"...Our question concerns justification (IE; ARE WE ACCEPTABLE GOD) and whether the law (OUR ACTIONS) justifies or not...We know that good works ought to be done...we know that well enough...but we will not mix them (FAITH IN CHRIST AND MY OBEDIENCE) up. That good works ought to be done, we will declare, at the right time. But since we are now on the matter of justification (ACCEPTABILITY WITH GOD), we set aside all good works...If justification comes through the law (MY OBEDIENCE), it does not come through grace; and then what has Christ achieved by his death?...Saying that people who believe in him are condemned because they have faith without works (MY WORKS OF OBEDIENCE) is to pervert everything...(OUR ADVERSARIES SAY) that faith in Christ does not make us free from sin, but only faith (IN CHRIST) combined with love...What a pernicious and cursed teaching this is!...It is therefore great impiety to say that faith (IN CHRIST) does not justify unless it is combined with works of love. If faith and works together justify us, then Paul's words are not true when he says we are 'justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law' "  (p.93, 94)