For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise (Galatians 3:18).
It doesn’t depend on the law.
By extension–it doesn’t depend on your observance of the law.
By extrapolation–it doesn’t depend on you.
By implication–you have no control of it.
So Beloved–is that freeing
or frightening?
Happy Friday, Beloved.
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 (Galatians 3:17).
The promise is where it began.
The promise is where it will end.
The law had value, and served its purpose, but law was never intended to be your master. You have only one Master, one Lord, one King, and he chooses not to crush you with Law, but to lift you with Grace.
If you’ll let him.
So…um..you know…let him.
Happy Thursday, Beloved.
Brothers, 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 (Galatians 3:15).
Some years ago, my family was involved in a legal situation. I won’t give any details, lest I become involved in another legal situation.
If you get my drift.
Suffice to say that all parties met with attorneys and mediator people, and left the room with a common understanding and a signed agreement,
which lasted for a day.
Then, one of the parties called to say that they had not understood the intent or details of the agreement, even though they signed a legal document stating that they understood the intent and details of the agreement.
Back to square one.
So, not to disagree with Paul, but I’m figuring contracts were a bit more iron-cladical in his day. In any case, the point stands: God made a promise, and that promise is not going anywhere. Our covenant is not with fickle man, but with faithful God. And he’s not about to call you back and say he didn’t understand what he was signing.
Happy Wednesday, Beloved.
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:14).
He could have kept it a private group.
You know–like on Facebook.
God could have kept the whole salvation thing between himself and the Jews. He could have locked redemption in for just the physical children of Abraham, and let the rest of us serve as colorful background to the divine drama.
He could have.
But he didn’t.
It would have been so much simpler. I’m in a place these days where life is busy and complicated and I am always on the lookout for ways to simplify. The idea of opening up the plan to bring in all the teeming masses of icky unclean folk like me, well it’s just not going to happen.
Fortunately for us all, The Lord of the Universe does not think like Michael.
Let’s call that Reason #35,026 to be glad that I’m not God.
Happy Tuesday, Beloved.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hung from a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)
He didn’t just pay the price.
He was the price.
And all I can say is…thank you.
Happy Monday, Beloved.
Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)
Oy
If only he had said, “The righteous will live by rules.”
Rules are things I can quantify
and measure
and obey even if I don’t really believe them.
Rules I can follow
or fake.
I can go through the motions while my heart is busy elsewhere.
This faith business…it takes away pretty much all of my power.
OK, what do you mean, “That’s the whole point?”
Happy Friday, Beloved.
All who rely on the law are under a curse, for it it written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” (Galatians 3:10).
God: Storm’s coming. Take my hand.
Me: No worries. I can swim.
God: Yes, but this is a hurricane. You can’t swim in this.
Me: Actually, I’m really good.
God: Not this good. I’m talking about 100 foot waves that never stop.
Me: I’ll be fine.
God: You’ll die. Take my hand.
Me: I won third place in the Camp Shoobedoobe Summer Swim-Off.
God: You’re not strong enough. No one is.
Me: I have to do this on my own.
God: Take my hand.
Me: Ooh, cramp! Push through it…push through it!
God: Take my hand.
Me: No thanks, I’m…gurgle gurgle glug.
Sound familiar?
Trust me–your floaties won’t get you there.
Happy Thursday, Beloved.
So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith (Galatians 3:9).
If you made an appearance in Scripture, how would you be referenced?
I think, “The Man of Faith” is pretty great.
Go Abraham.
You know, Beloved, you may not be specifically written into the Bible, but your name is clearly written in another important God book–
The Book of Life.
You know, that book in which the Lord of the Universe records the names of those who are eternally, irrevocably his.
Pretty important book–and you’re in it. Maybe even in bold font, though I can’t confirm that.
So, remind me again why you have trust issues?
And by you, I mean we.
Happy Wednesday, Beloved.
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the Gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” (Galatians 3:8)
The Scripture foresaw…
The Scripture announced…
Sounds like a plan was already in place.
Before Abraham
Before us
So…you mean God’s not making this up as he goes along?
Cool
Maybe I can relax my grip.
Just a little
Happy Tuesday, Beloved.
Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7).
Father Abraham
Had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them
And so are you
So let’s just praise the Lord!
This song, with the accompanying hand and foot motions and giggling, is about all I remember from my first, rather unproductive, visit to Sunday School.
This song, and a raging fistfight that broke out between two of the other little boys. All and all, I decided that I’d rather be home watching Popeye and Friends, hosted by Tom Hatten. Now to be fair, it wasn’t just Popeye. They also showed Tom Slick, George of the Jungle, and Super Chicken. In between cartoons, Tom took squiggles that kids mailed in and turned them into amazing cartoon drawings.
Aaaand…that totally beat learning about Jesus on a Sunday morning.
That Michael. Such a spiritual young man.
But I remembered the song. And years later, when a slightly matured Michael learned about our adoption as Sons of God and becoming heir to the promises of eternal life, it clicked.
I am a child of Abraham
even though I’m not
because I believe.
Not do
Not earn
Not accomplish
Believe
As you head into Labor Day, hang onto that, ya?
Happy Monday, Beloved.