Psalm 71.1-8, Judges 13.1-25, Galatians 2.1-21 - Lectionary for 7/13/11

Today's readings are Psalm 71.1-8, Judges 13.1-25, and Galatians 2.1-21.

I was looking at a book earlier today in which the author talked about the demands of the Gospel. He talked about the Gospel convicting people of sin and changing them. From the perspective of a Lutheran, I know that we would like to correct this Presbyterian author. We would say that the Law convicts and makes demands, but the Gospel makes no demands and never constrains anyone. I think that's a good and useful corrective. Yet the point the author I was reading made was essentially correct. What the Lord has told us in Scripture dues correct us. Sometimes even seeing the goodness of God convicts us of our own sinful attitudes. Seeing the way God has poured out his grace on the world can rebuke our own selfishness. Regardless of how you term it, and I do think the Lutheran distinction and terminology of Law and Gospel works really well, we see that God makes distinctions between his people and those who are not his people. This is ever so clear in today's readings.

Samson is to be raised as a Nazirite from birth. He is to be set apart and kept for God. Likewise, Paul and Peter observe the distinctives of the Christian, as well as a distinction between the Christian and the Jew. I fear that we are either too ready to tell Christians how to behave and thus push a works righteousness or that we wish to avoid telling Christians how to behave and end up allowing licentiousness. Neither end of the pendulum swing should be true. God's Word tells us what our Lord expects of us. And first and foremost is that we live according to the Gospel that Jesus has died for us, taken our penalty, and has imputed his righteousness to us. How do we live that way? That's the tough part, because I can't tell someone how to live in God's grace. But I can try to point to the gracious God, trusting that He will guide His people into all truth.