The Fact of the “I Do”

The Fact of the “I Do”

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 2:16 and James 2:14-18

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

When I said the words, “I do,” to my wife, I was bonded to her forever. This was a kind of grace to me. She pledged herself to me and allowed me to do the same to her. She would have me as husband forever, or at least until death do us part. So often since, I have made efforts to show the fact of that “I do.” Remembering birthdays and anniversaries, helping around the house, raising children, and forgiving both trifling and more significant flaws in character have been common acts of submission and love (in the latter case, far more so on her part than mine) these past forty-five years. These works of love point back to the gracious words, “I do.” The actions show the love but the love was sure, long ago. Nothing can change that grace. 

I am not in debt to her, though I work hard each birthday, anniversary, and Christmas to come up with some unique way of displaying my love for her. Time and again, my meager attempts at gifting are met with appreciation and genuine joy as she opens the latest gift. This is the capacity of a woman who learned long ago that the real and lasting gift was in the simple, gracious words, “I do.” The rest is demonstration of that love. The gifts, the works, the restraint of harsh words after tiring days, and the forgiveness when unable to curb them do not put either of us in debt to the other. They do not change the fact of our love for each other. That fact happened on the day we said, “I do.”

Just so, our meager works for our neighbors and our devotion to God, do not make us right with God. Justification happens when we believe he loves us. 

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