GALATIANS 3 v. 15 – 19
‘Dear brothers, I speak in terms of human relationships, even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no-one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.
He does not say, ‘And to seeds’, as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed’, that is, Christ.
What I am saying is this: the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise, but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.’
Paul’s argument is that the ‘covenant promise’ came first, is the real core of our faith, not the law which followed some hundreds of years later. The new covenant is the fulfillment of that ‘promise’ to Abraham, ratified in Christ –
‘this cup is my blood – the blood of the new covenant – poured out for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sin’.
God is seen, once again, to always keep His promises, and His Spirit enables us to keep ours.
PRAYER
O Jesus, Thou hast promised
to all who follow Thee
that where Thou art in glory
there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus I have promised
to serve Thee to the end
Be Thou forever near me
my Master and my Friend
CHALLENGE
How will your life look different today, if you make all your decisions, and allow all your actions to be guided by this biblical truth – you are part of God’s unfolding promise to Abraham, that (in Christ) through you, all peoples will be blessed?
Go for it – You are His, and He is Yours.