As Paul
the apostle continues his discourse to the church members in Galatia,
we are learning a lot about the difference between living under God's
grace and living under the law. The law has built within it a curse
which Jesus bore upon Himself when He died upon the cross. Because He
did this, we now may enjoy the unmerited favor of God simply by
believing in Jesus' substitutionary work. Paul continues to share
more of the benefits of Jesus' work as he employs the example of
Abraham once again to show us additional blessings and a promise that
is given by God's spirit. He wrote in chapter three and verse
fourteen:
That the blessing of
Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Paul
spoke of Jesus dying on the cross and taking the curse of the law
upon Himself in verse thirteen of chapter three, and now he adds the
reason why, “That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ;” The reason the Gentiles have
the benefit of the gospel of grace is because God deemed it that way.
In blessing Abraham years before God said, “in you shall all
nations be blessed.” (Genesis 22:18). It was Our Heavenly
Father who had the plan all along, and ever since Adam and Eve sinned
against God by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
which separated them from God by sin, God has been working to redeem
everyone who will back to Himself. The blessing of Abraham is
available to all because of Jesus Christ, and now those who are
Gentiles are welcome to participate in the blessing as well.
Paul
continued, “that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.” It is God's design that we might receive the
promise of His Spirit. God desires that we have fellowship with Him,
and by promising His spirit to those who believe, He brings people
back into a relationship with Him. Without the fulfillment of the law
and someone perfect paying the price for the curse of the law, we
would all be outsiders. No one could have a relationship with God,
and the Spirit of God would not be available. However, because of
Jesus' finished work on the cross, we may now receive, lay hold on,
take what is available, the promise of the Spirit. Our Heavenly
Father now waits for only one thing, and that one thing is that we
will submit to His providential plan and honor the gift of His Son's
sacrifice.
Do we
make the blessing and promise of God difficult? Do we impose laws
upon ourselves and others that would put both we and them under a
curse should they attempt to follow them? Is there freedom, blessing
and promise anywhere in our vocabulary and minds as we ponder these
things about God and ourselves? If so, then we are well on our way to
a wonderful relationship with God, and if not, we will only find
ourselves either self-righteous or at a distance from God's Spirit
which no one can enjoy.
Next time we will
see how no one can add to God's covenant of grace, 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
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