Dancing With The Devil

Galatians 3:1 (NIV)

¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Previously Paul has set before the Galatians the totality of the argument.  The Law cannot save and Christ cannot save -- at the same time.  It is one or the other.   This was the foundation of the Gospel, to which these believers, believed.  Now instead of calling them brothers (for they are not acting so), he calls them foolish.  "For with a Christian zeal it is lawful for an Apostle, a pastor, or preacher, sharply to reprove the people committed to his charge: and such reprovings are both fatherly and godly." [1] 

Who has bewitched (Gr baskainō) you?  "The Galatians acted as if subject to some weird occult influence or under the spell of an evil eye. The false teachers had so fascinated them and confused their minds that they seemed to be groping around in a spiritual fog." [2]

The NKJV translates this verse: "Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth . . .." [3] Luther, then adds an extensive commentary on this.  However, these words are not found in the best manuscripts so contemporary versions omit them.  What stands is the phrase: "It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified." [4]  Luther understands this phrase as meaning that these beguiled brothers not only stopped obeying the truth but in their actions they have re-crucified Christ. "Now he addeth moreover, that they do even crucify Christ, who before lived and reigned in them. As if he should say: Ye have now not only rejected the grace of God, not only to you Christ died in vain, but also he is most shamefully crucified among you. After the same manner speaketh the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Crucifying to themselves again the Son of God, and making a mock of him, &c.” (Heb. vi. 6)." [5]

However, again, modern scholars understand the phrase “. . . For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.” (Galatians 3:1, NLT).   "The Greek perfect tense emphasizes a past completed action resulting in certain and positive present effects." [6]   Paul's message had been preaching Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).  This implies that He is man's only hope of salvation, otherwise His death is in vain. ("then Christ died for no purpose.")

Luther understands that behind the teaching of the false apostles it is nothing short of devilish activity. "This bewitching then, and this sorcery, is nothing else but a plain illusion of the devil, printing in the heart a false opinion of Christ and against Christ; and he that is deluded with this opinion, is bewitched." [7]  So too, we must understand that the position of the Vatican to promote salvation by congruent merit, the doctrines of Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. are all religions based on works and self-righteousness.  Behind these movements we say with Jesus, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [8]

Father we live in a world of passive acceptance of all viewpoints.  No one likes to call a spade, a spade.  We want to cuddle with Rome and stroke the false witnesses that come to our door.  We dance with the devil. Satan has always wanted to keep Christ off the cross; and now that Calvary is a final victory, it is his schemes to make the cross of no effect.  To not see that is to be bewitched. To not get that is to be foolish. Lord, by Your Spirit anoint us with that Pauline passion, to preach Christ crucified as our sole message.  Jesus did die.  His sacrificial death was a historical fact.  He rose again (another historical fact).  Was this all for nothing?  No!  God forbid!  Salvation is in no other than Christ crucified.  Satan would deceive and destroy.  Hell will be filled, Father, with well-intentioned people who thought that they could do it their way.  Oh Lord send a revival of the Gospel, for the sake of Christ our Savior and for the everlasting joy of all peoples who believe.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2382). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. The New King James Version. 1982 (Ga 3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 3:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. 

5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

6. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2383). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

7. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

8. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 16:23). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

To Obey Is To Believe. To Believe Is To Obey

"This is the true meaning of becoming a Christian, even to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law." [1]

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15–16, NIV)

This affirmation of the Gospel does not reject good works, but it places them in the proper order and sequence.  Luther tells a parable:

"This bridegroom must be alone with the bride in his secret chamber, all the servants and family being put apart. But afterwards,. when he openeth the door and cometh forth, then let the servants and handmaidens return, to fulfil their ministry. There let charity do her office, and let good works be done." [1]

Now Paul writes,"So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus" that we might be saved.  The ESV translates this “. . . so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ . . . ”  The Greek text is καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν; or also we on Christ Jesus believed.   This is the essence of Christianity.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”” (John 3:14–15, NIV)

The question raised by this text is, "What does it mean to believe?" John writes in the 3rd chapter of his Gospel:   ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

True to Hebrew literature, John’s Gospel is structured a lot in parallelisms. This helps us understand his meaning; and more importantly, the meaning of the Holy Spirit.  Note the parallel ideas:

(+) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;

(-) Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life . . ..

John equates belief with obedience.  Some translations use the word reject instead of obey, but that is an inaccurate interpretation of the Greek.  The word is ἀπειθέω and is clearly used in terms of refusing to comply or obey. Notice how Jesus makes this plain in this encounter:

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:46–50, NIV).

To become a Christian and live as a Christian is defined by Jesus who said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, NIV).

 Father I love You.  Today I desire You more than I normally do.  I thank You for that passion.  I wish I always had such a preeminent affection for You.  I know part of the reason is that "the things of this earth are growing strangely dim." There is a sadness and a struggle in this life that propels me more and more to see my Savior, face-to-face.  You have saved me by Your grace.  You have given to me as a gift a precious faith purchased by Your Son on Calvary.  You have set before me a purpose and ministry in this life.  I thank you for all that because it provides on the horizon an inheritance that will never fade or grow old.  To be with Christ is far better.  But to serve and obey You is also awesome.  Help me today to magnify Jesus in my life.   May my walk of obedience confirm Your calling and choice of me.  For the glory of Christ and the joy of all who love You.  Amen.

Faith is trusting God's goodness sufficiently that it is evidenced by obedience.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

A 'Christianly' View of the Law.

Luther observes that within this realm of discussion there are really only two kinds of righteousness. There is no third alternative. "He that teacheth that men are justified before God by the observation of the law, passeth the bounds of the law, and confoundeth these two kinds of righteousness, active and passive, and is but an ill logician, for he doth not rightly divide." [1] The active righteousness is coupled with notions of "law and works" and applies to the 'old man' while the passive righteousness is coupled with "forgiveness and mercy" and applies to the 'new man'.  The reason that the law is contrary to grace is the the end of the Law is found in Christ. (“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4, NIV))

Does Luther dismiss the necessity of obedience and good works?  No!  Here he uses an analogy:

"But as the earth bringeth not forth fruit except first it be watered and made fruitful from above . . .  even so by the righteousness of the law, in doing many things we do nothing, and in fulfilling of the law we fulfil it not, except first, without any merit or work of ours, we be made righteous by the Christ righteousness, which nothing appertaineth to the righteousness of the law, or to the earthly and active righteousness." [1]

Luther's point is that we contribute nothing -- absolutely nothing to our salvation.  The end of the matter is that as per the Law we are all sinners; but in relation to Christ we are justified.  "When I have this righteousness reigning in my heart, I descend from heaven as the rain making fruitful the earth: that is to say, I come forth into another kingdom, and I do good works, how and whensoever occasion is offered." [1]

Luther hints in this prologue of pastoral concern for those who lack assurance.  When we learn to treat the Law, 'christianly' we will see Christ as the completion and fulfillment of the Law, in our place.  But the gaining of passive righteousness does not render the true believer passive in righteous deeds. Indeed it becomes the ground and the energy for good works.

Father, I am so often reminded of the truth that about from Jesus we can do nothing.  Whether I am discussing salvation or even the Christian life, it proves to be true over and over again.  Christ is all in all. As a plot of dead ground I can no more bring forth a crop than a corpse can self-resurrect.  And even as one who receives the seed of the Word and the empowering rain of the Spirit, only this nurture and care from Heaven can possibly bring out anything of value in my life.  Father, I am in Christ because of You; and anything I do that gives you even the hint of glory is because of You.  Today I yield to the precious and indispensable work of the Spirit.  In this day no matter what I face, flow your grace through me, that others would see Christ.  All for His glory that He might be all in all.  Amen.






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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.