All Nations Blessed by the Character of God
The Beginning, Part 2
Galatians 3:8-9 (NJKV)
Galatians 3:10-14. (NKJV)
Galatians 3:15-18 (NKJV)
While I have not always been as committed to being a praying person as I am now, I have always turned to God so I can talk with Him. I’m not sure why that was the case when I was a child, but I suspect that because I saw my dad pray a lot. When I saw him read his Bible and pray I realized there was great power there. So, even when I was young, when I was sad or mad or glad, I prayed.
I think my reasons for praying have changed through the years. For example, when my dad died, I prayed because my grief was so strong I didn’t feel like I could handle it. Today that is sometimes the case as well. When I am perplexed about something, I pray. When I am sad, I pray, and when I am glad I pray. I have found that God is there for me no matter what.
I also believe that God has all the answers to my problems. Once again when I was younger, my dad would tell me to pray because turning to God IS the answer. As I grew in faith, I came to realize than God really does have all the answers. My little child faith grew and my faith became stronger.
That’s how I see the case that the Apostle Paul made to the churches in Galatia in Galatians 3. In Galatians 3:1-7 Paul reminded us that we are not saved by what we do. Rather, we are saved by faith. When we believe in God through Jesus, His son, we are one with God.
In Galatians 3:8-9, Paul wrote, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”
God revealed the big picture truth to Paul that ‘all nations’ would be blessed, even the Gentiles. Previous to Paul’s conversion the gospel message was primarily preached to the Jews. Now, Paul tells the church that the message was for the Gentiles as well.
I am a Gentile. To my knowledge I do not have any Jewish blood in my heritage. To me that means ‘all nations’ and nationalities included you and me. That was a total game changer!
So as I prayed through the years and my faith grew stronger, so did my appreciation for Paul’s message of faith. I was included because I believed. Even when I messed up really bad (and I have), I came to realize that by faith I (we) am justified. I am included by faith in the same way Abraham was justified and included by faith.
God’s love and mercy included everyone in the world, even Gentiles. God’s love and mercy includes everyone no matter how much they’ve messed up.
By God’s love and mercy we are included.
The Apostle Paul used the example of Abraham and his faith in the very same way he spoke of the Gentiles being justified and included. In Galatians 3:10-12, Paul makes it clear that the law is not about faith (verse 12). Paul, who understood the importance of the Law of Moses now makes a case for faith that the Gentiles will be saved.
We are included.
In Galatians 3:13-14, we learn, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
We are not justified (made righteous) by the law. Being good enough doesn’t earn us the right to be children of God. Like Abraham, we (all people) are redeemed because by faith we believe.
Because of God’s great love for us, we are redeemed because His Son gave his life on the tree.*
In Galatians 3:15-18, Paul writes that the seed of Abraham was the promise God made to him for all the nations. The Law of Moses that was given to the children of Israel as a help and guide for living didn’t exist until 430 years after God made the promise of faith to Abraham. Also, the law of Moses didn’t annul the covenant God made with Abraham that was fulfilled by Jesus.
Paul made it clear that God is a God of promise. Abraham’s promise included us. Even today, every time we seek God’s face we receive God’s promise. When we pray and wait (listen) for the answer, we receive the fullness of the promise of God.
Why is that always the case 100% of the time? It’s because Jesus fulfilled the promise made to Abraham.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Pray and Listen
Whatever burden you carry today, know you are not alone. Take your request to God and then take time to sit with God in silence. Listen for God’s response.
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
*the cross was a tree.