A promise is a promise
Opening Prayer
Faithful God, You have promised to bless us and You fulfill Your promises.
Read GALATIANS 3:15–22
[15] Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. [16] The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. [17] What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. [18] For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. [19] Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. [20] A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one. [21] Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. [22] But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does the inheritance depend on?It is a special and wonderful experience to be named as a recipient in someone’s will. It is the ultimate one-way blessing, whereby someone has resolved and arranged to do us good. All we need to do, when the time comes, is to receive what that person has wanted to give us. Paul thinks of this in connection with God’s good will towards Abraham. God promised to bless Abraham with many descendants and to give him a land of his own (Gen. 12:1–3). Although there were few signs of these things happening in his lifetime, Abraham never stopped believing—and that was the faith that counted with God (Rom. 4:20–22). So what part does God’s Law play in our salvation? In a way, the Law is too good for us, as no one is able to keep it! But, by proving our sinfulness, the Law shows us our need of a Savior (Rom. 7:4–7). Paul sees Scripture as God’s living, powerful Word, which both promises to bless us and then brings about the fulfillment of that promise in Jesus (2 Cor. 1:20). APPLY: As a recipient in a will, God has named you an heir of inheritance. Write out what is included in that will.
Apply
As a recipient in a will, God has named you an heir of inheritance. Write out what is included in that will.
Closing prayer
Loving Father, thank You that You have made promises and that You are a promise-keeping God.
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