Five Minutes a Day with Luther - 05-30-2012

[Five Minutes with Luther]

FIVE MINUTES A DAY WITH LUTHER

** Now available in book form: http://lcmssermons.com/about5mins.php **


May 30

Gal 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creation.

* * *

It may seem strange that Paul should say, "Neither is
circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision" since they are
contrary one to the other, and therefore either one or the other
should prevail. But Paul here denies that either one or the
other avails anything, This is what he means: We must mount up
higher; for circumcision and uncircumcision are things of no
such importance that they are able to obtain righteousness
before God. The Jews were greatly offended when they heard that
circumcision means nothing. Reason and the will of the flesh
does not understand this. But we are taught from the Word of
God that there is nothing under the sun which earns
righteousness before God, but Christ only, or, as Paul says
here, a new creature. Politic laws, men's traditions,
ceremonies of the Church, yes, and the Law of Moses does not
earn righteousness before God. We may use them as things which
are both good and necessary, but each in their place and time.
Now, a new creature, in whom the image of God has been renewed,
is not made by any color or counterfeiting of good works, but by
Christ, by whom it has been created after the image of God in
righteousness and true holiness. A new creature is the work of
the Holy Ghost, who cleanses the heart by faith, and works the
fear of God, love, chastity, and other Christian virtues. A
new sense and a new judgment is given by the Holy Ghost. The
mind is renewed first, after which follows a change in the
members and senses of the whole body.

Create in me a new heart, Lord,
That gladly I obey Thy Word,
And naught but what Thou wilt, desire;
With such new life my soul inspire.

---
Cuda.
aka Pastor Robin Fish
It isn't whether we win or lose, it is "Do we stand faithfully?"

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