Obedience to the law of God

The law of God, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance man on his way to righteousness, but rather hinders him. - The Heidelberg Disputation Martin Luther May 1518

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. ESV

So many filthy dreamers abound who proclaim one must work on his or her own righteousness to become acceptable to God or in order to become more acceptable. This takes the forms of the Roman Catholic doctrine, Purpose Driven life and all other success Gospel teachings.

The former is easy to spot. The cry escapes from their lips sola fide is wrong! The law if God is minimized in order to make it appear it is being kept. What he or she has to prove is that not only is he or she holy now but also that he or she has never sinned. This is what is needed to be holy as God is holy.

The latter is much more difficult. These will say one is saved by grace through faith alone. However, now that you are saved you can now succeed over sin completely and over time become better and better. What is not taken into the equation is that one breaking of the law is breaking of the entire law. So from God's point of view one is just as much a sinner as before. This teaching is most attractive for who would not want to please God. Two types of people emerge from this teaching. Self righteous sinner who look down noses on the former life and those who are still living that way. Or a terrified sinner not seeing enough good works or lack of sin to prove salvation.

Eyes off yourself my friend! Look at Jesus only!