How to insult God with good deeds- the Heidelberg Disputations (3 of 28)

The third of Luther’s Heidelberg Disputations says:

Although the works of man always appear attractive and good, they are nevertheless likely to be mortal sins.

This is a shocking statement. Even though I know I agree with Luther’s reasons and conclusions on this matter I have to pause when I read this statement- do I really believe that? What this would mean is that someone like Mother Teressa, who spend her whole life serving the poorest and weakest people on our planet, might have worked hard to insult God.

Shocking though it may be, we have to consider what the Bible says. First of all it tells us that “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law’” (Galatians 3.10 where Paul is quoting Deut. 27:26). Notice that this is true for “all who rely on observing the law”- in other words, people who think they can merit God’s favor by just doing the right thing. If you think that, it seems, you are under a curse to keep the entire law- everything without exception!

Not only that but the Bible also tells us that “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11.6). It’s not that faith is the one, greatest thing someone can do to merit God’s favor. It’s that unless you good works are done in faith they are not only worthless in God’s eyes, but insulting. In fact if you are working without faith, thence by the flesh, Paul says this will be your fruit (Galatians 5.19-21):

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; dolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let me put it this way: someone who spends their whole life doing amazing acts of service for their own credit and recognition is doing it for their own glory and thereby turning their back on God. That’s how good works become mortal sins.