with Paul that all our work-righteousness is loss and dung. Let us condemn as
filthy rags all talk about free will, all religious orders, masses,
ceremonies, vows, fastings, and the like.

In branding the world the devil's kingdom of iniquity, ignorance, error, sin,
death, and everlasting despair, Paul at the same time declares the Kingdom of
Christ to be a kingdom of equity, light, grace, remission of sin, peace,
saving health, and everlasting life into which we are translated by our Lord
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.

In this passage Paul contends against the false apostles for the article of
Justification. Christ, says Paul, has delivered us from this wicked kingdom of
the devil and the world according to the good will, the pleasure and
commandment of the Father. Hence we are not delivered by our own will, or
shrewdness, or wisdom, but by the mercy and love of God, as it is written,
I John 4:10, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and
sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Another reason why Paul, like John, emphasizes the Father's will is Christ's
habit of directing attention to the Father. For Christ came into the world to
reconcile God with us and to draw us to the Father.

Not by curious inquiries into the nature of God shall we know God and His
purpose for our salvation, but by taking hold of Christ, who according to the
will of the Father has given Himself into death for our sins. When we
understand this to be the will of the Father in Christ, then shall we know God
to be merciful, and not angry. We shall realize that He loved us wretched
sinners so much indeed that He gave us His only-begotten Son into death for
us.