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GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 3: THE LAW OF MOSES AND THE GOSPEL, THEIR INTENTION AND THEIR RESULTS (Galatians 3:1 – 4:31)
3. The favored of the Lord are not the Jewish people in themselves, but only Christ and those who follow him (Galatians 3:15-18)
GALATIANS 3:15-18
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Do you think that God loves you because of your goodness and diligence?
Did you not know yet the state of your evil heart, and the mystery of the love of God? God loves both the good and the evil in the same manner, and to the same extent, and has given his life for them both. He who lives in the Holy Spirit knows that every man is in his nature evil, ignorant, and corrupt. The saints renew their repentance brokenly at all times, because they know their true state, and he who was crucified justifies them freely.
It is most probable that the lawyers came to the church in Galatia with the different claims, out of which is that the blessing and grace of God only belonged to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, Paul proved to those who were disturbed, from the text of the Book of Genesis, that the term “seed of Abraham” did not mean his children and grandchildren according to the flesh, but it indicated one man who was Christ, in whom all the nations should be blessed. Thus, there is no room for racial thinking, since it is not the whole Jewish people that bear the promise, but Christ alone, for in him alone is the summary of the promises of God. He, who believes holds fast to him, continues in him, participates in all the promises of God, and obtains victory by the Victor.
The promise of God came with its grace. It was not fulfilled because of goodness, for the law, as a judge of the living, came five hundred years after Abraham, nearly at the time of Moses. Therefore, the promise of God’s blessing was prior to the law, and unconnected with it. Accordingly, the criminal would be justified if he truly believed in Christ. This is the divine mystery of our age. Grace is only bestowed on the unworthy.
This principle contradicts all the world traditions and religions. Our praying, works, praise, commitment, hope, and asceticism do not come down from heaven, but they only come to us because of the promise of Christ. He who believes in him becomes sanctified, whether he were a Christian, a Buddhist, a Muslim, a Jew, or an unbeliever. He who holds fast to the cross, and accepts the forgiveness of his sins by the blood of the Lamb, is entirely sanctified. He, who is not called a Christian, but believes in Christ, may be holier than him, who is born of a Christian, but does not believe in Christ.
PRAYER: O Father, we glorify you because you summed up all the promises and graces in your Son. We worship to you, and take hold of him, in order to participate in the power of your love. Teach us not to rely on our own godliness that we may be free to repent and be renewed in love, together with all the saints, for in your grace, we live, and according to your lovingkindness, we continue.
QUESTION:
- Who participates in the promise of God to Abraham?