"Luther Quotations": #20A
"...because by observing the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2;16)
Here is Luther's commentary on Paul's words above:
"In these words, Paul vehemently charges the false apostles with perverting everything...They teach that apart from Christ and all his righteousness, the observance of the law (OUR OBEDIENCE) is necessary for justification (ACCEPTABLE STANDING IN THE SIGHT OF GOD)....'If you do what the law requires,' they say, 'you will be saved; but if you do not , you will not be justified, however much you believe in Christ'...It is monstrous that our adversaries should be so perverse as to muddle the law (OUR OBEDIENT EFFORTS) with grace (CHRIST'S PERFECT OBEDIENCE)..."
The spiritual benefits of the kingdom of God are experienced by those who do not "muddle the law with grace," but rather are able to keep the two separated in their hearts by a very tall and impregnable wall. Christ's work completely and alone justifies the believer, having virtually NOTHING to do with our efforts (Romans 4: 4,5). His work (pure, perfect and undefiled) ALONE must be kept on one side of the wall. On the other side of the wall is our obedient, restful and joyful (yet always stained by some degree of sin) response to the justification we have freely received on the other side of the wall. Remove that wall and "muddle together the law with grace" and the two truths on each side of the wall blend together. Here Paul and Luther warn us that by blending together those two sides of the wall the gospel of Christ is not only perverted (reversed) but the personal benefits (the fruits of the Spirit) that come with the true gospel through the Holy Spirit cease.
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