Abraham's Seed and Heirs to the Promise Galatians 3:29 - Equipped for Battle

In Paul the apostle's explanation to the church members in Galatia about the relationship between the promise of God and the law of God, he has declared those who have recognized their own disobedience to the law to be children of God once they believe in the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Once we receive the grace and unmerited favor of God, we become His children and not just His creation. Paul continues his thought in chapter three and verse twenty-nine as he shows the believer's status and benefit when Jesus Christ is received as Savior. He wrote:

And if you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul told his readers, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”,and now there are no barriers of partition between people, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Today he declares, “If you are Christ's”, and this allows for the possibility that a person is not “Christ's”. “If” a person receives the gift of promise through Jesus Christ. “If” we believe that He fulfilled the law perfectly and took our place of death on the cross, and “If” we rely upon, trust in, and cling to Him, we are “Christ's” and according to Paul there are two benefits to us.

First, “then are you Abraham's seed.” The promise to Abraham was “And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice.” It was Abraham who “believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness”, and now those who believe in Jesus Christ have become as Abraham's seed. Everyone, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, race, station or gender may come to Jesus Christ freely and become as the seed of Abraham. Jesus Christ made the way for this to occur, and those who believe in and are baptized into Him have become Abraham's seed.

Secondly, Paul adds, “and heirs according to the promise.” Those who believe in Jesus are now “heirs”, and not just any heir, but an heir of God. Paul spoke of being heirs of God in Romans chapter eight and verse seventeen where he wrote, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.” When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we become God's kids and not simply His creation. We become His heirs, and royalty is placed upon us, not because of what we have done, but because of His great promise of grace. We become a family of princes and princesses under the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We are His heirs when we are Christ's.

When we think about the benefits to believing in Jesus Christ we may wonder why anyone would refuse to become His child and heir. Jesus gave us a hint as to why some people do not come to Christ when He said in Luke in chapter eighteen and verse seventeen, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Humility as a child is required, and those who forsake their pride and simply receive the grace of God know not only what it means to be Abraham's seed, but also a child of the living God.

Next time we will begin a new chapter and discover the benefits of being an heir, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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All One in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28 - Equipped for Battle

Many may wonder why Paul the apostle is going to such lengths to convince the Galatian church members about the grace of God given through His promise and its relationship to the law of God. Since Judaizers had infiltrated and divided the church with incorrect doctrine which stated that people must obey the traditions of the law as well as the law itself to be saved, Paul felt it necessary to be thorough in his explanations. Paul has just shared the uniqueness of being one in Christ Jesus through baptism, and he shares the benefit of that oneness in chapter three and verse twenty-eight where he wrote:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Now that the Galatians were baptized into Christ, their old lives were done away, and they were unified under the name of Jesus Christ. There are no more divisions nationally or ethnically among them, “There is neither Jew nor Greek,...” for they are all in Christ Jesus. “There is neither bond nor free...” which declares their station in life is dissolved by being one in Christ Jesus, and “there is neither male nor female...” which renders gender inequality void as well. Nationality, ethnicity, station, and gender no longer divide those who are baptized into Jesus Christ. What may see natural in society becomes a bygone era, because those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ are now all equal.

But why is this so? Paul says, “for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When a person receives Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior, they relinquish all other divisions that were previously in their lives. It isn't that there are not differences in nationalities, stations, or gender, but rather that there are none that are superior to others. We are one in Christ Jesus when we receive His wonderful promise of grace.

Paul said in the book of Romans in chapter two and verse eleven:

For there is no respect of persons with God.

In other words, there is no preferential treatment from God based upon one's nationality, station in life or gender. God desires to have a relationship with every person. Uniqueness of individuals are celebrated in the unity of a faith in Jesus Christ. We are all one in Him, and rather than cause divisions as the Judaizers were to the Galatians, Paul lets us all know that equality is found in one place, “in Christ Jesus.” When we rely upon, trust in, and cling to Him, we find ourselves in unity with people from every tribe, nation, people group, ethnicity, gender and race. All barriers fall, and we are one. May we evermore be so in Jesus Christ.

Next time we will see how we become heirs because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Baptized into Christ Galatians 3:27 - Equipped for Battle

As Paul the apostle continues to persuade the church members in Galatia concerning the grace and promise of God, he shows them the significance of their being children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. In chapter three and verse twenty-seven he turns their attention toward baptism in Christ and the significance of doing so. He wrote:

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

A meaningful change occurs in the person who submits him or herself to Jesus Christ by faith. Not only do they become the children of God, they “put on Christ.” Paul said, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ” , which seems to allow for some who have not, but for those who have been baptized into Christ there is this denotation they have “put on Christ.” The word used for baptized here is “baptizo” which means “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)”; to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe; to overwhelm.”

They who have been totally submerged and overwhelmed into Jesus Christ have been wrapped in His marvelous grace.

When a person is baptized, they go down into the water like unto the death and they are raise into new life that is like being robed in Jesus Christ. Paul gave even clearer insight to what happens in baptism in the book of Romans chapter six and verses three through nine where he wrote:

Do you not know, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from here forward we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

When baptism occurs, the old person is put to death, and the new person has “put on Christ.” Like those who were robed with regal robes in the Roman society, the person who accepts God free gift of grace by faith in Jesus Christ has been robed in Him. The idea is that a person is now governed by the will of Jesus Christ, and submission and conformity unto His way is the new way of life.

The disciples baptized people who professed Jesus Christ as their Savior as they were instructed by Jesus in Matthew chapter twenty-eight and verse nineteen:

Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Throughout the book of Acts there is incident after incident where people were baptized into Jesus Christ, and when they were they “put on Christ.” This act of submission continues to be available today. May all who read these words have ears to hear.

Next time we will see how the walls and barriers between people groups fall when we are in Christ, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Children of God by Faith in Jesus Galatians 3:26 - Equipped for Battle

The question is often asked, “Are we not all the children of God?” The easy answer is “no”, but we are the creation of God. To be a “child of God” we must have a relationship and fellowship with God. These are obtained by having faith in Jesus Christ, and His substitutionary death upon the cross and His subsequent resurrection from the dead. As Paul has shown in previous verses, we do not obtain this relationship by works of the law, but rather by faith in Jesus. In chapter three and verse twenty-six Paul provides a specific manner for how we become the “children of God” where he wrote:

For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

First we notice the word, “For”. With the word “For” Paul begins a new paragraph where in a conclusive way Paul tells why he has given the previous discourse. He told us, “the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster”, and now because we have faith in Jesus Christ, “you are all the children of God.” The only part that is left is whether a person will receive this gift of grace from God by believing in His Son Jesus.

What Paul does not say in this verse is “you are all the children of God” by any way you choose. It is “by faith in Christ Jesus.” Though it may seem narrow, and it is, there are no other options given. Therein lie the exclusivity of Christianity in that a person must come through Jesus Christ to have access to being a “child of God.” Any other way is works oriented and relies upon the individual to somehow measure up, be good enough, and be righteous enough to gain access to God. According to the Bible, this is impossible. There is only one person who ever fulfilled the law perfectly, Jesus Christ, and He has made the way for anyone who will trust in, rely upon and cling to Him to be a child of God.

As we consider these things, let us remember that Christ Jesus was God's effort to reach, redeem, and have a Father God relationship with mankind. All other attempts are man's effort to reach God, and they all fall short. This is the marking point of the Christian walk, and only “by faith in Christ Jesus” we may all be “the children of God.”

Next time we will discover the benefit of being children of God , so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

No Longer Under a Schoolmaster Galatians 3:25 - Equipped for Battle

What is the significance of the law of God as it relates to people? What are the implications if a person does not keep the law of God? Why does it seem that there are so many lawbreakers, and since this is so, why should there be a law of God in the first place? On any given day we may hear questions such as these from people who do not understand the purpose of the law of God. Of course the law of God is wonderful for social order, health benefits, and limiting ciaos, however we have learned from Paul the apostle that it serves another purpose, “the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” The law brings us to an understanding that we are lawbreakers and in need of a Savior. That Savior is Jesus, and the law was and is our teacher that directs us to Him. Paul continues to show the benefit of coming to Jesus in chapter three and verse twenty-five where he wrote:

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster

Once again we encounter the word, “But”, and now know that it means that what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previously shared. Paul says, “But after faith is come” which in other words means, when Jesus came now anyone can be saved who accepts His salvation, and relies upon Him as Lord. The idea is that when Jesus fulfilled the law by faith, the usefulness for the law bringing man into a relationship with God was substituted. The law was and is fulfilled by Jesus Christ, and the penalty for disobedience to the law has been paid by His death on the cross.

Paul continues, “we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” What was needed has been shared, and the fulfillment of the requirement to have a relationship with God has been met. We no longer have to rely upon the law to have fellowship with God. We need only to have faith in Jesus Christ. His substitutionary work led us to a path whereby we all may come to God and be His children. The faithful work of Jesus has come, and we no longer have to worry over keeping this rule or that which the schoolmaster, the law, presented.

The law of God has fulfilled its purpose. It has led us to Jesus. This does not mean that we despise the law of God or completely ignore its significance in our lives. No, rather, we understand the importance of the law and the guardian affect that it has upon our lives. We will see more about this in future verses, however those will have to wait until a later time.

Next time we will how we become the children of God, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

The Law Our Schoolmaster Galatians 3:24 - Equipped for Battle

As Paul the apostle has been explaining the relationship between the law of God and the promise of God to the church members at Galatia, we have been learning that God has a perfect design for people to have fellowship with Him. Because we have a sin problem that keeps us separated from God, we must know that we have a sin problem, and the law let's us know it. Once we realize our problem of sin, we can acknowledge it, ask God to forgive it, and He by His promise extends grace to us that was paid for in full by Jesus Christ's substitutionary work on the cross. In chapter three and verse twenty-four Paul gives us the conclusion to his reasoning where he wrote:

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

As we have learned before, whenever there is a “wherefore” or a “therefore” in the Bible, we should always look in the verses preceding them to know what the “wherefore” is “there for”. In this case Paul has asked the question, “Is the law then against the promises of God?” To which he answered an emphatic, “God forbid!” or “Perish the thought!” He showed his readers that the “scriptures concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

And Paul let us know that “before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” Now he adds, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”

Paul likens the law to a “schoolmaster” or a “teacher, tutor, instructor or guardian”. In other words, the law watched over us until such time as revelation and maturity arrived, and the reason and purpose of the law was “to bring us unto Christ.” The law governed over us until we realized that we were in need of a Savior. Those who dare read the law and the spirit of it will soon find themselves lacking and coming up short for fulfilling its every word. The law shows us our need for Jesus, and those who are exposed to the law find themselves guilty and ashamed before God when they consider its full implications.

This brings about the rest of Paul's conclusion concerning the law when he states, “that we might be justified by faith.” Now that we have experienced the effect of the law and known its tutoring us toward Jesus Christ, we may be justified (just as if I'd never sinned) by faith in Him. This is the promise of God. They who trust in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, which took away our sin and paid the price for it, are now just as if they had never sinned before God. The law serves its great purpose in showing us our need for Jesus, and when we believe in, trust in, rely upon and cling to Him, we receive the promise of the grace of God and are justified in His site.

Once again this verse should make anyone who thinks about it very long desire to shout, “Glory to God! Glory to God! Great works He has done!” It was God's plan all along to bring people into a relationship with Him. Sin was the problem, and sin had to be realized and recognized. The law of God exposed sin, and then when guilt and shame enter a person for failure to keep the law, by trusting in Jesus Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for sin on the cross, anyone who believes may be justified. Again, our response should be, “Glory be to God! Great works He has done!”

Next time we will see when we are not under the schoolmaster, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Kept Under the Law Galatians 3:23 - Equipped for Battle

As we have continued to study the doctrine of grace as delivered by Paul the apostle to the Galatians, we have noticed that Paul meticulously defines step by step the reasons that the promise of God and the law of God work hand in hand. In Divine providence, the Almighty God constructed a plan that incorporated usefulness of the law for demonstrating the lostness of mankind. As the law was perfect, and no person is because they cannot keep the law perfectly, the law shows our need for a perfect Savior, and that perfect Savior is Jesus. Paul continues his explanation in chapter three and verse twenty three where he wrote:

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Paul begins once again with a “But” which means that what he is about to declare takes precedence over what was previously stated which was the question as to whether the law was against the promise of God. Instead of being in opposition against the promise of God, the law had its purpose and usefulness, “before faith came, we were kept under the law”. In other words there was a time for the effectiveness of the law to be in place. People were governed by the law of God until such time that someone could obey every aspect of the law. As stated in verse twenty-two “by the faith of Jesus Christ” the promise of God was released.

Paul continues, “shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” As though hidden from the promise until Jesus Christ was revealed, the law governed over the lives of all who lived within it. Let it be known that the law was and is perfect. The difficulty lie in the fact that people are not, and the revelation of the imperfection of mankind was a primary purpose of the law of God. Until the faith Jesus Christ was revealed we were kept under the law and doomed for our lack in ability to keep it. The law of God was not in opposition to the promise of God, but it rather preceded it for the purpose of showing the unrighteousness of people and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God Almighty revealed this perfection in His Son, and now through Jesus' faith, the promise of the grace of God is released to all who will believe.

Next time we will see how the law was our teacher, so read ahead, and let us join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major

bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it

locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore