Reformation: Second Lesson: Romans 3:19-28                      

Romans 3:19-28

Law first. Not in rank, but in time, in order. What do I mean? The Reformers of the 16th Century brought to the fore a distinction that had been muddied for a long time. The Church of Rome had, and still does, make a patchwork out of the declaration of the law of God and the proclamation of the gospel. Interwoven in a deadly mixture are the demands and forgiveness of God. And what is the result? I’m probably going to get some dis-ease over this, but that mud in the water produces a gospel which really is no gospel at all. And that gospel is the primary message in much, not all, of evangelicalism around us and it has deep roots in Rome. “Yes Jesus died for me, but ….”

Back to the Reformers, Luther, Calvin and others who worked diligently to recover the distinction between “Law and Gospel,” or “Law and Grace.” Why is that necessary? “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). The law has a magnificent role in our salvation but its role is not to save. Its role is to convince us that we need saving. And that’s why it’s first. And here is where Rome and much of evangelicalism gets stuck. “Yes Jesus died for me, but ….” And in the “but” is the death of the distinction highlighted above and the death of the gospel. “I didn’t have devotions today,”  “I don’t give a full tithe every week,” “I never really have cared that much about the poor in our community,” “I still battle anger, envy, and lust.” The muddying of gospel waters always leaves us with the idea that I really do have to add something to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. I don’t. We don’t.

Jesus died to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And included in that is the nagging love of self that demands that I have a hand in getting me all the way home. We must have a hand in it after all. Dear Christian remember this. You and I bring one reality to our salvation-and that is our sin, our need for a Savior. That’s it. During this week where we celebrate the Reformation with joy, let the gospel deliver its undiluted beauty to your heart. It is Jesus who saves us from sin, death, and the devil. Jesus alone. Amen!