More from Luther on Gal 1:3: 'Whenever you think about justification, and dispute with yourself how
God is to be found, remember that Christ Himself said: “I am the way, the
truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
Therefore besides the way of Christ, you shall find no way to the Father. When
any of us shall have to wrestle with the law, sin, and death, and all other
evils, we must look upon no other God, but only this God incarnate and clothed
with man’s nature.'
Somewhere, Luther wrote, 'Whoever seeks God apart from Christ finds the devil.' Those who feign humility as they seek after God according to their imaginations are actually guilty of blasphemous pride - rejecting God's own Beloved Son who is the only Mediator between God and man, and the full and final revelation of God. In truth, sinners do not seek God - but praise God, sinners are sought out and saved by God in Christ crucified & risen.
'When you look at the man Jesus Christ, you perceive the love, goodness
and sweetness of God, and you also see His wisdom, power, and majesty,
according to that saying of Paul, “In Christ are hid all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3), and again, “For in Him dwelleth all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). The world is ignorant of
this, and therefore it searches out the will of God, setting aside the promise
in Christ to its destruction. “For no man knoweth the Father, save the Son, and
he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him” (Matthew 11:27).
And so comparative religious studies are an exercise in futility, as far as Christianity is concerned. God is only known unto salvation through His Son. And what a sweet revelation we have in Him of God's goodness and grace, as well as His majesty.
'...Wherefore, whenever you are occupied in the matter of your salvation,
set aside all curious speculations of God’s unsearchable majesty, all cogitations
of works, of traditions, of philosophy, and of God’s law too, and run straight
to the manger and embrace the Virgin’s babe. Then behold Him born, growing in
wisdom and stature, conversant among men, teaching, dying, risen, ascending up
“far above all heavens,” and having power above all things. By this means you
shall be able to shake off all terrors and errors, as the sun drives away the
clouds. And this sight and contemplation will keep you in the right way, that
you may follow where Christ is gone. Therefore Paul, in wishing grace and peace
not only from God the Father, but also from Jesus Christ, teaches first, that
we should abstain from curious searching of the Divine Majesty and to hear
Christ, who is in the bosom of the Father, and utters to us His will.'
God has drawn near; Christ has come into the world to save sinners. As we look to Him in faith - incarnate, crucified, risen, reigning, and returning - we find omnipotent saving grace from God, and everlasting peace with God.
Comments