[26] Luther’s proof, Thesis 26: 
The law says, “Do this,” and it is never done. Grace says, “believe in this,” and everything is already done.
The first part is clear from what has been stated by the Apostle and his interpreter, St. Augustine, in many places. And it has been stated often enough above that the law works wrath and keeps all men under the curse. The second part is clear from the same sources, for faith justifies. “And the law (says St. Augustine) commands what faith obtains.” For through faith Christ is in us, indeed, one with us. Christ is just and has fulfilled all the commands of God, wherefore we also fulfill everything through him since he was made ours through faith.
The law cannot bring into being that which it commands. Paul wrote, “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:20) And: “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:3-4) And: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Rom. 10:4) Paradoxically, what the law requires is freedom from the law.
Christ has fulfilled all things and, through faith, we are at one with Him. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39) Paul wrote, “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.” (Gal. 2:16)
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Is there any wiggle room here, for what ‘we do’?
Should there be, when it comes to righteousness?
Filed under: Luther |
The Old Adam Lives! 
Is there any wiggle room here, for what ‘we do’?
None whatsoever.
Should there be, when it comes to righteousness?
No since Christ suffered for us.
Here’s were we play, “No I’ll pick up the check or pay you back some day.” It shows our aversion to free grace and love of self sufficiency or being our own god. So bad and bewitched are we by this that we actually, in this world, consider it a virtue! The “stand up” fellow is the fellow who always pays back his debts and picks up the check. The despised is the free loader.
The Reality is this, if you are not a free loader, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Self made men and women live in hell.
Good post!
Law? Christ? Thanks to God that the He lead us to Christ!