Promises, promises

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.

“…what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe” v 22

Traditions can be so important. They can preserve culture and identity, they can link generations, and honour those who are no longer with us.

However, Paul continues here to remind his readers that the promise to Abraham had nothing to do with “law” or observing God’s commands. Their faith was getting hijacked by reliance on religious observance. Many Jewish traditions and practices had to make way for life in the Spirit.

We are all blessed by the promise God made Abraham thousands of years ago. We are all blessed through his offspring or “seed”, Jesus (v16). We are guaranteed an inheritance, which is righteousness through faith. What a promise!  By believing in Jesus, I have salvation. It has nothing to do with my earning salvation by observing rules, religious customs (v18).

There is something else here. This passage reminds me what a gracious God I have. He graciously promises salvation through faith in Jesus. It’s not about how good I am.

Also, he graciously gave us his law – starting with the 10 commandments (v17.) I say graciously because the law shows us God’s high standard, how he designed us to live in relation to him and each other. That I can’t meet this standard reminds me how I need Jesus, and that in him is salvation.

I need to acknowledge that the nagging of the enemy tells me Jesus can’t be enough for my salvation. God’s promise of salvation for those who believe brings that lie into focus. Jesus is all I need.

Search my heart, Lord – when do I doubt you are enough? When do I feel that I must add to the salvation you have promised me? Remind me today that you Christ are my “all in all, the joy of my salvation.” Amen

Written by Claire Moore