Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Psalm 17 - The right hand is Christ

AELW 10:111

"The right hand is Christ, the Son of God, as Ps. 118:16 says: “The right hand of the Lord has made strength,” for the Son of God is the strength, power, and wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1:24, 30. Second, the right hand of God is the grace or faithfulness or work of God. Thus blessed Augustine correctly says by way of explanation that the right hand means God’s propitiation and favor, according to Ps. 45:4: “Thy right hand shall conduct Thee wonderfully.” The left hand, however, is God’s rule or freely given grace, which is common to all. Third, the right hand is the awarding of glory in the future, as Matt. 25:33–34 says, “He will place these on His right hand and those on His left, and then He will say, etc.” Therefore the right hand is, first, Christ; second, it is the merit of Christians; and third, it is their reward. However, the hand of God is impartial for all His works. But the left hand is only the bestowal of this life. Therefore the right hand of God is the gracious strength of God with which He helps the elect."

No comments: