Luther on Works
It is not an easy matter to teach faith without works, and still to require works. Unless the ministers of Christ are wise in handling the mysteries of God and rightly divide the word, faith and good works may easily be confused. Both the doctrine of faith and the doctrine of good works must be diligently taught, and yet in such a way that both the doctrines stay within their God-given sphere. If we only teach works, as our opponents do, we shall lose the faith. If we only teach faith people will come to think that good works are superfluous. -Luther, Commentary on Galatians (emphasis mine)
In the Catholic and Evanjelly churches of today, it is difficult to find the Gospel amid all the Law that is taught. We can't drink, dance, smoke, or whatever it is that is deemed a sin. I've noticed the opposite problem among Lutherans...we are so caught up defending sola fide that we are afraid to teach works. Any preacher that suggests we must do something is immediately teaching Law, not Gospel. Are we neglecting love of Man for love of God?
posted by Maria at 3:18 PM
3 Comments:
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I think the accusation of "cheap grace" has been employed enough that we should have a handle on how to respond to the charge.
Truly, we do not teach that works obtain grace or justification. Instead, we're to do good because we've already obtained grace through faith in Christ (Romans 6). Works-righteousness seems to me to be putting the cart before the horse. Works are a consequence and an indication of faith, not a requirement for faith.
This faith, now given to us, seeks to do good. If someone doesn't seek to do good, then we deduce that he or she doesn't have faith (James 2). The Law in its Third Use (first: restraint wicked, second: inform need for salvation) tells us what to do now that we seek to do good.
Walther stated that in sermons, pastors should preach the Law first to convict the conscience, then follow with the Gospel to offer relief. The Gospel is also meant to predominate. Thus in sermons, we are bound to receive more Gospel than Law. Teaching Third Use Law for saved Christians, I would be willing to speculate, can take second fiddle to Second Use Law and Gospel, which aims to make more disciples.
Dan
I agree with your post. However, I do notice a lack of this teaching in many churches. This comment was made by a person I know:
" Most Lutherans are not caught up in the daily struggle of keeping commandments because GOd gives us peace. He says "I give your peace not of this world" which is the security in knowing that with his grace we are free."
This does reek of cheap grace to me. Are we not, after all, called to take up our cross?
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