The Abrahamic Covenant of Grace (Part 5)

This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus.  All week we have been looking at Abraham and what made him right with God.  In John 8, when dealing with law-minded Jews who claimed to be children of Abraham, but who were fighting against what He was doing, Jesus said, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.” (John 8:39).  Jesus’ point was that Abraham was not made right because he did right.  Abraham was made right because he believed God.  The men opposing Jesus were attempting to be made right by works and not by faith.

Earlier in the week we learned that Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have not been circumcised (non-Jews), but who have faith in God.  They are counted as righteous because of their faith (Romans 4:11).  Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised (Jews), but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised (Romans 4:12).  In other words, Abraham is the spiritual father of all of us who believe God and who accept God’s righteousness by faith, and not by works.

I will now close out the week by letting you read a portion of Galatians 3.  This is the chapter we will study next week.  Paul wrote, “In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.  The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God… So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith… But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law.  For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”  This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”  But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing.  For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith… Why, then, was the law given?  It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins.  But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised” (Galatians 3:6,7, 9-14,19).

So what does this mean to you today?  Let’s close out the week with a few golden nuggets:

1.  Abraham was not made right because he did right.  Abraham was made right because he believed God.  In the same way, you cannot be made right by works.  You can only be made right by faith.

2.  Abraham is the spiritual father of all of us who believe God and who accept God’s righteousness by faith, and not by works.

3.  Right living cannot make you right (because no one can be made right by trying to keep the Law of Moses), but right believing does lead to right living.

4.  Paul said, “Those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law” (Galatians 3:10,11).

5.  How God chooses to bless us?  Grace.  Why He does it?  Love.  How we access it?  Faith.  Why we should do it?  Purpose.

6.  By Faith we access God’s Grace and as we do, we get incrementally closer to maximizing His purpose and potential for our lives.

Closing Confession:  Father, I thank You for teaching me more and more about Your amazing Grace.  The more I learn about Grace, the more freedom and liberty I receive in my heart.  Before, I did not want to do wrong, because I was afraid.  Now, I am no longer afraid and my desire to do right is even stronger.  Not because I am trying to earn Your blessing, but rather because I don’t want to disappoint You.  I serve You because I love You, not because I am afraid of going to hell.  I live by faith because I want to maximize my purpose, not because I am trying to work for righteousness.  Your Grace has changed the way I think, feel and made decisions.  And not only do You forgive me and bless me by Grace, but You then also give me the Grace to DO all You have called me to do.  Thank You Father for Your amazing Grace.  When I tried to be right by living under the Law, I did not realize it, but I was under a curse.  Now I understand that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the Law.  I am now not under the Law, but under Grace.  I receive Your blessing by Grace.  I access it by faith.  And I become the man/woman You have called me to be!  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper.