The gift of rain, the gift of grace.

A great reminder on a rainy day like today:

"Just as the earth does not generate rain and cannot of itself work to produce it, but receives it by the mere gift of God from above, so this heavenly righteousness is given us by God without our working for or deserving it. See, then, how much the earth is able by itself to do in getting showers of rain to make it fruitful; that much, and no more, are we able to do by our own strength and works in winning this heavenly and eternal [passive] righteousness. We shall never be able to attain it unless God himself bestows it on us, imputing it to us by his gift beyond words. The greatest wisdom of Christians, then, is to have nothing to do with the law and works and the whole of active righteousness, especially when the conscience wrestles with God's judgment. On the other hand, the quintessence of wisdom among those who are not among God's people is to know and earnestly follow the law and active righteousness."

- Luther, "Galatians"

God is greater than our heart.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Hear what Martin Luther has to say about speaking to one's own heart...

"From our own (guilty) conscience certainly only accusing thoughts can come, because our works are vain before God, unless He himself is [effective] in us by His grace. We, of course, may easily excuse ourselves. But that does not mean that we have satisfied God or fully kept His Law. But from whom, then, do we obtain the thoughts that (truly) excuse us? Only from Christ and in Christ; for if the conscience of a believer in Christ reproves, accuses and condemns him as an evil-doer, he quickly turns from himself to Christ and says: 'He has atoned my sins. He is just and my Justifier, who died for me. He has made His righteousness my own and my sins His own. But if He has made my sins His own, then I no longer have them but am free from them. And if He has made His righteousness my own, then I am righteous because of His righteousness, for He is God, blessed forever.'

So, then, 'God is greater than our heart' (1 John 3:20). Far greater is He who defends me than that which accuses me, indeed, infinitely greater. God is my Defender, while my heart is my accuser. Oh, what a blessed relation! But so it is, just so! 'Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?' (Romans 8:33) No one! Why? 'It is God that justifies! Who is he that condemns?' No one! Why? 'It is Christ (and He is God!) that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.' In short, "If God be for us, who can be against us?''' - Martin Luther, "Commentary on Romans"

Who's To Blame?

"The mistake (of condemning others though guilty themselves) is committed by all who are outside of Christ; for, while the righteous (true believers) make it a point to accuse themselves in thought, word and deed, the unrighteous (unbelievers) make it a point always to accuse and judge others, at least in their hearts. For this (fact) there is an explanation. The righteous (always) try to see their own faults and overlook those of others. Again, they are eager to recognize the good things in others and to disregard those of their own. On the other hand, the unrighteous look for good in themselves and for evil in others." - Martin Luther, "Commentary on Romans," pg. 52.

Christians should not be finger pointers. A Christian should not say, "It's your fault, Mr. President, that our nation's economy is plunging," rather, "I'm the reason for this recession. Oh Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. Forgive me of my greed and my unbelief, in which I trust in things rather than You, Jesus. Forgive me. Save me from myself."

"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness..." - Isaiah 58:9.

Benevolence and Malevolence

"Benevolence is the hearfelt desire to be obliging and to do good to others. It is of two kinds. Christian, or perfect, benevolence always remains the same, no matter whether it encounters gratitude or ingratitude. The imperfect human, or earthly benevolence continues only so long as it meets with appreciation, but ceases when it encounters ingratitude or any other evil. In Matthew 5:48 we read: You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' and in Luke 6:35: 'But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil..' Malevolence, on the contrary, is the perverse, hateful tendency to hurt or harm others. In his total depravity man does injury even to those who are grateful and good, and not merely to the evil. That truly is bestial malevolence. With regard to Christian benevolence it is written in Galatians 5:22: The fruit of the Spirit is...gentleness, goodness." - Martin Luther, "Commentary on Romans," pg. 50.

Maliciousness and Goodness

"'Being filled with...maliciousness' (Romans 1:29). Maliciousness is the perverse tendency in man to do evil despite the good which he has received; indeed he abuses even the good things which God gives him in the service of evil. Conversely, goodness is the right disposition in man to do good even when his effort is hindered or checked by some wrong done to him; goodness even makes evil serve that which is good. A person is not good in the Christian sense of the term who does only good so long as he fares well and no resistance is offered to him in any way. Of being good in this Christian sesnse, those who are good only in a worldly sense are not capable, as we read in Matthew 7:18; 'A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.'" - Martin Luther, "Commentary on Romans," pg. 49.

Unrighteousness and Iniquity

"In Scripture...there is a difference between unrighteousness and iniquity. Unrighteousness - (lack of conformity with what is right) - is the sin of unbelief, or the lack of the righteousness which flows from faith, just as, for example, he is righteous who believes; and he is unrighteous who does not believe (cf Romans 1:17; Mark 16:16). He who does not believe is disobedient; and he who is disobedient is unrighteous. Iniquity - (violation of what is right) - is the sin of self-righteousness which men choose for themselves in their own foolish zeal for piety. We might also say: Iniquity consists in this, that man neglects the duty which he is bound to do, and that he does that which, (contrary to the divine Word), seems good in his sight. The right conduct, however, shows itself in this, that man puts aside what seems good to him, (but is contrary to the divine Word), and does what he should do." - Martin Luther, "Commentary on Romans," pg. 49.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." - Romans 1:18, God's view towards man

"Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. " - Isaiah 1:4, God's view towards His people

"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness," - Romans 4:5, God's gift to all

Justification by faith alone means that righteousness is obtained for us by Jesus' death and resurrection. It's not acquired not by us. Since there is no righteousness in us (Romans 3), we must go outside ourselves to find a righteousness that will be acceptable to God. Thanks be to God for His free gift of grace, an overabundant supply of righteousness for the unrighteous and the people laden with iniquity.