Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study the proper distinction between Law and Gospel.
The proper distinction between Law and Gospel is a glorious light that opens the Holy Scriptures to us; apart from this distinction, the Bible remains a closed book. The Law is the revealed will of God for His creation. In the Law, God commands what we must and must not do. These commands curb our sinful behavior, show us our sin, and instruct Christians in what a righteous life is. The Gospel is not what we must do, but what God has done for us in His Son Jesus Christ. This is God’s free gift to us for our salvation apart from any merit or worthiness in us. Both Law and Gospel are good because they are God’s two different ways to speak to us. They must be distinguished, lest we falsely believe we can use the Law to save ourselves or turn the free gift of salvation in Christ into another Law. This distinction comes from the Lord’s own mouth in both the Old and New Testaments. St. Paul’s use of this distinction abounds in Romans as he proclaims the glorious truth that our righteousness comes not from our works of the Law, but from the free gift of salvation earned by Jesus Christ declared to us in the Gospel.
“The Righteousness of God for You” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Human righteousness cannot save, because all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. Only the righteousness of God can bring life and forgiveness to sinners. This is the righteousness that He has fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the righteousness that is revealed in the Gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This is the righteousness that is not earned, but is freely given by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.
