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Galatians 3:15- 29

In Galatians chapter 3, Paul has confronted the “foolish” actions of the Galatian believers. He accuses them of being “bewitched,” or deceived, by someone that had been preaching circumcision as a means of salvation: works of the Law. In verses 6-13, the Holy Spirit, through Paul revealed the fact that we are justified by faith alone. And in vs. 11 that the “righteous (just) shall live by faith.” Then, in verse 14, he states that God has blessed the Gentiles, those that do not know God, with the same blessings that He promised to Abraham.

In Genesis, God made a promise to Abraham that was not based on any kind of works, but on His faith in God that produced obedience to God. That promise was unconditional. Abraham simply believed God would do what He promised! Adding to or changing a man-made covenant voided it. God’s promises to Abraham and his offspring are ours in Jesus Christ.

The inheritance is the blessings of Abraham. Those blessings are: justification by faith and the gift of the Spirit. We receive that blessing, those promises, when we accept the grace offered to all, Jesus The Christ as our Lord and Savior, through faith!

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. – 2 Corinthians 1:20

The purpose of the Law is served when we see that only by the grace of God, only by Jesus, crucified and risen, can we be saved.

All are condemned by and through the Law. It pointed out our wrong doing, it showed us how far we were from God. It was a harsh taskmaster that led us to the understanding that we can only be justified and redeemed by grace through faith.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” as the law clearly shows, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:22-23).

The Jews looked at the Law as a means of obtaining grace, but the Law only pointed out the fact of its inadequacy to do so. It showed the sinfulness of sin, but was unable to save, or for that matter, provide grace. It was the blood of animals that covered sin in the Old Testament under the old covenant. But the blood of animals did not cleanse from sin. Which is why Jesus came to this earth, to Save His people from their sin!

So, who are God’s people? The Holy Spirit teaches us that, “you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit” (Romans 2:28-29 NLT).

The Old Testament practice of circumcision had value only if you obeyed the Law. But if you didn’t, or don’t, obey God’s Law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised gentile; an unbeliever. If anyone counts on works of the Law for salvation/grace today, they have failed to recognize what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, failed to understand the blood shed for their sin, failed to accept the grace and the life given for their redemption. They are still dead in their sin!

Vs.21 – if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them… But “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:8-13

Read Vs. 24-26                                                                                                        

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. – Romans 5:6-9

Vs.27 – explain baptism. Are you “walking” in the promises of God…

We must, as Christ followers and believers in the promises of God, be thinking, walking in, and praying from God’s promises! It’s time to take a step of faith, it’s time to step out on the promise of Christ our savior and be the church God has called us to be! Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus’ promise to the end of the age.

Are you apart of the promise of God?  What is your next step in reaching up and in reaching out?

Digging Deeper

• Are you a part of the promise of God?
• Are you walking in God’s promises today and everyday?
• Who is Jesus Christ to You?

Further Reading: Romans 1:20-21, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:1-13, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Peter 1:3-11, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:5-6, Genesis 22:18