Favorable Conditions

Favorable Conditions

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:1-5 and 1 John 4:7-11

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Our sin demands the moral response of the holy God. That response is our death (Romans 6:23). Worse, his response is that we cannot be in his presence. Thus, the location called Hell exists, for one must be somewhere. But God desires us to be in his company. As Calvin said, the chief end of humanity is to enjoy God forever. You cannot do that in Hell where one is not with God. So, since God loves the world, he sent his Son to satisfy the moral demands of righteousness. Theologically, we say that he was “the propitiation” or just satisfaction, for our sins.”

Christ’s sacrifice renders conditions favorable or propitious for God to forgive and to have us in his heavenly presence. By faith in the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, we are justified to be in relationship with his Father. Faith in his propitious work makes us righteous because Christ’s own “sonly” righteousness is imputed or attributed to the believer. The righteousness of God is thereby credited to humanity.

Paul argues that this justification does not come through study of the Law or even in the keeping of the Law. It comes through the cross of Christ alone; justification is therefore imputed since we did not die for our sins. This transferred righteousness permits an otherwise unholy person into the holy presence of God.

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