While relaying his message
about the wonderful grace of God, Paul the apostle has shown the
church members of Galatia the relationship between the law of God and
the promise of God. Judaizers were attempting to convince the
believers in Galatia that they were to follow the customs and rules
within the law of God in addition to having faith in Jesus Christ for
their salvation. In chapter three of Galatians Paul has used the
example of Abraham to show how God promised that all nations would be
blessed through him, and this promise preceded the law. In chapter
three and verse eighteen Paul shares a significant fact about the
inheritance that is included within God's promise. He wrote:
For if the inheritance
[be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to
Abraham by promise.
Paul
begins, “For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more
of promise:” God has promised an “inheritance” to those who
believe in Jesus' sacrificial substitution for their sins. If there
was a way that this inheritance could have been obtained by the law,
then there would have been no reason for promise. In other words, the
law would have nullified the promise that was given to Abraham. But
it didn't. God who cannot lie promised Abraham before the law was
ever given, and now those who trust in, rely upon, and cling to Jesus
Christ will inherit the promise of God.
Paul
concludes this verse and section by saying, “but God gave it to
Abraham by promise.” To prove his point, Paul makes another
appeal to the church member's reason by completing his thought about
the promise of God being given to Abraham. God gave the promise of
eternal blessing for all the nations of the world before the law and
long before Abraham was known as the Father of our faith. This
promised inheritance has spread throughout the world, and it is now
available to all who will simply believe.
After
all these verses about the difference between the promise of God and
the law of God concerning our faith, we should have a more clear
understanding about God's desire to save anyone who will come to Him
in faith. Do we? Are we able to present and live the gospel of grace
in such a way that we make Jesus attractive rather than a turn off?
Perhaps as we ponder the length and depth to Paul's concern that the
Galatian churches have this correct we will also continue to add to
our personal testimonies about the grace of God and His desire to
save whosoever will.
Next time we
discover what Paul says about an inheritance, 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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