The Faith of Abraham, Part III

2016-01-10

In Part III of this series, we will look at Galatians 3:6, and consider its reference to Genesis 15:6.

Context

In Galatians 1-2, Paul focused on defending his apostleship after being accused of holding back information by which they may be saved. He also defended the gospel of grace from which he received from Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He reiterated how that salvation is not by works, but rather by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how we are crucified with Him.

The Hearing of Faith

Like Abraham, who heard the word of the LORD and believed, we hear the gospel and believe (Galatians 3:2, 4). This is the “hearing of faith.” The faith all starts with God’s Word!

Belief Before Law

Abraham believed the Word of God hundreds of years before the Law was even announced on Mount Sinai (Galatians 3:17), so salvation cannot be by the works of the Law! While the Law is good in itself, it only places us under a curse because as sinners we could never perfectly keep it (Galatians 3:10)! Christ Himself had to save us from this curse (Galatians 3:13), because we could not save ourselves.

Christ, not Isaac, ultimately fulfills the original promise to Abraham, as all nations are blessed through the gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:8). The Law could not undo this promise that was already in place. The Law, on the contrary, teaches us that we need a savior! Jesus is that Savior.

Baptized into Christ

So we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27). What does that mean? We are identified with Christ. We have put on Christ and have His righteousness. We are new creatures (Galatians 3:28). We are descendants of Abraham, partakers of His promise, and all heirs (Galatians 3:29). God’s promise extends beyond the physical descendants, to all of us who believe the gospel.

Proceed to Part IV!