A Transforming Quote

Back in late January I heard Pastor Josh Moody, pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL via the internet on WETN. He was beginning a series on Galatians as I was just finishing a year long study in Revelations and was wondering what I would study next. He said something that echoed with my soul. Galatians is a hard book to study and Satan would rather us not grasp hold of the freedom offered through Galatians. I realized I lacked any real desire to study Galatians. Moody quoted an inspiring quote by Martin Luther on Galatians. I found it so intriguing I went to my bookshelf to see if I may have Luther on Galatians. I was delighted to find, "Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther," first published in 1535.

One of the rich and priceless gifts I received from my father as a young child was a love for reading the great scholars. My father, at one time had over 700 Biblical books and commentaries  in his library. As my library has been built up my dad's has decreased in direct correlation. 

Here is a quote from Luther that I have read daily through the Lenten Season. I trust it will have a transforming impact on your life as it has on mine.

"Now we have said before, that the law in a Christian ought not to pass his bounds, but ought to have dominion only over the flesh, which is in subjection unto it, and remaineth under the same. When it is thus, the law is kept within his bounds. But if is shall presume to creep into thy conscience, and there seek to reign, see thou play the cunning logician, and make the true division. Give no more the law than belongeth unto it, but say thou: O law, thou wouldest climb up into the kingdom of my consciene, and there reign and reprove it of sin, and wouldest take from me the joy of my heart, which I have by faith in Christ, and drive me to desperation, that I might be without all hope and utterly perish. This thou dost besides thine office: keep thyself within thy bounds, and exercise thy power upon the flesh, but touch not my consciene; for I am baptized, and by the Gospel am called to the partaking of righteousness and of everlasting life, to the kingdom of Christ, wherein my conscience is at rest, where no law is, but altogether forgiveness of sins, peace, quietness, joy, health and everlasting life. Trouble me not in these matters, for I will not suffer thee, so intolerable a tyrant and cruel tormentor, to reign in my conscience, for it is the seat and temple of Christ the Son of God, who is the king of righteousness and peace, and my most sweet saviour and mediator: he shall keep my conscience joyful and quiet in the sound and pure doctrine of the Gospel, and in the knowledge of this passive and heavenly righteousness." (pg. 28)

Galatians 2: 21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."  I've had to ask myself, does my righteousness kill Christ's? This verse shows me the seriousness of my self righteousness.

Lord help me to smuggle deep into my heart that the laws limits are for the flesh, and not for my conscience.