Even As Abraham Believed God

After Paul preached the gospel to “the churches of Galatia” (Gal 1:2), there were some law-abiding Jews in their midst who persuaded some Galatian believers that they still have to keep the law in order to be “blessed with faithful Abraham” (v. 9). This false teaching was similar to the Pharisees, who tried to justify themselves because Abraham was their father (Jn 8:39). Paul refuted this perversion of “the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:7), by showing them that no man is justified by the works of the law in God’s sight, but “the just shall live by faith” (v. 11)! Because “the law is not of faith” (v. 12).

And it says nothing of faith in a “Mediator” (v. 20), “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). Anyone who wants to live by the law must perfectly keep the whole law. But if he offends “in one point, he is guilty of all” (Jms 2:10) – it’s either do or die! But “in Christ” (v. 28), we no longer have to do “the works of the law” (Gal 2:16), in order to get saved (Titus 3:5). Because He has already done it all (Jn 19:30)! Whether Jew or Gentile, they can now be “justified by faith” (Rom 5:1), if they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their Saviour and Lord (Php 3:20).

They would now be included in “the promises made” (v. 16), to Abraham that in him “shall all nations be blessed” (v. 8). As “the faith of Abraham” (Rom 4:16), “was accounted to him for righteousness,” even so every child of God receives “the promise of the Spirit through faith” (v. 14)! And we are also “sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13). This would not be possible through the works of the law. When Jesus saves lost sinners from the condemnation of hell (Jn 3:18), He seals them as His personal possession (v. 26), to let us know that the payment for sins is paid in full (1 Cor 6:20), and forever final! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera