But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? God forbid. Galatians 2:17 KJV
We are indeed justified and made righteous in Christ: for the truth of the Gospel teacheth us that a man is not
justified in the law, but in Christ. Now, if they which are justified in Christ, are yet found sinners, that is, do yet still belong to the law, and are under the law, (as the false apostles teach) then are they not yet justified; for the law accuseth them, and showeth them to be yet sinners, and requireth of them the works of the law, as necessary to their justification... (page 76)
Paul therefore groundeth his argument upon an impossibility, and a sufficient division. If we being justified in Christ, are yet found sinners, and must be justified by another means than Christ, that is the law, then Christ cannot justify us, and it followeth that He died in vain, and these, with other like places, are false.
Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. John 1:29
He that believeth in Him hath everlasting life. John 3:16.
Yes, the whole Scripture is false, which beareth witness that Christ is the Justifier and Savior of the world. For if we be found sinners after that we be justified by Christ, it followeth of necessity, that they which fulfil the law are justified without Christ. If this be true, then are we as Turks, or Jews, or Tartars, professing the name and word of God in outward show, but in deed and verity utterly denying Christ and His Word.
Martin Luther, Kregel, Galatians 2:17, pp. 76f.
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GJ - This passage in Luther's Galatians Commentary is essential in defeating the UOJ Enthusiasts who make a fetish out of John 1:29, misrepresenting the verse to serve their dogma.
The point made is in harmony with justification by faith versus justification by law - no other alternatives are available. Someone cannot be justified, forgiven and not forgiven, and then justified again, really forgiven.
Note well that Luther is arguing against the Roman Catholic justification scheme, which parallels the UOJ dogma.
In Romanism, Christ died for the sins of the world, and they are forgiven, but they are not paid for until works of love are performed by the person forgiven. This is called fides formata, or faith formed by love. Liberal guilt in the mainline denominations is roughly the same.
In UOJ, the entire world is forgiven and absolved, but not really. Everyone is a guilt-free, forgiven saint - saved, but not quite. There is just one more thing - to agree with this dogma of world absolution. To make a decision for UOJ.
If someone is forgiven and not forgiven in Romanism, then justification is through the law.
If someone is forgiven and not forgiven in UOJ, then justification is through the law.
