In giving his presentation
against the idea of having to keep the law in addition to having
faith in Jesus Christ, Paul the apostle has asked the Galatian church
members how they received the Spirit and miracles? He asked, “did
he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?”
Paul's question is rhetorical in
nature, but nonetheless he adds to his question in chapter three and
verse six with the example of Abraham. He wrote:
Even as Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
In the
book of Genesis in chapter fifteen and verses one through five, God
told Abraham that He was His shield and exceeding great reward.
Although this was a great and wonderful offer, Abraham's reply was
that he had no offspring with whom to share these gifts. It was then
God promised Abraham that he would have offspring that would be in
number like the stars, and the in verse six it says:
And he believed in the
LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Paul the
apostle uses this event as an example to the church members of
Galatia to think about the way that Abraham received the promise of
God. It was by faith. God spoke, and Abraham believed. Then, God
counted Abraham's belief for righteousness. The law of God was not
even given yet, and yet God called Abraham righteous. There were no
rules to follow or actions with which to comply. It was by faith that
Abraham received this wonderful promise from God.
Knowing
that the people within the church in Galatia would know the story of
Abraham, Paul says that they received their faith in the same manner.
It is by faith they were saved, and not of works. It was by faith
that they were accounted righteous, and not by following traditions
or ceremonies. In like manner to Abraham, God promised salvation
through His Son Jesus Christ, and when someone truly believes Him,
they are saved. They do not have to follow a set of rules, laws,
ceremonies, or traditions. No, the appropriation of the
substitutionary act of Jesus Christ is attributed to each one as
righteousness.
If we
use Abraham as an example of believing, would we consider ourselves
to be believers in God in the same manner as he? Do we take and trust
God at His word? When God has given the promise of His grace by way
of Jesus Christ, do we add to it in any way? What about for others?
Do we add to the gospel message of Jesus Christ when we are
considering others? Perhaps it will help us today to consider once
again the manner in which Abraham simply believed the promise of God,
and we too will align ourselves in a pattern of living that God
smiles upon and calls righteous.
Next time we will
see what Paul has to say about how we relate to Abraham, 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 comments:
Post a Comment