THE PROMISE IS THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH
The Promise to Abraham. Many promises were made to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:4-5, 12-16; 17:1-8; 22:16-18). The same promise was re-affirmed by God in different times in Abraham’s life. Specifically, that God is going to bless the entire world through Abraham’s seed. The promise was first made when Abraham was called (Genesis 12:3), again in the promise of a child (15:3-6), it was elaborated on when he was given the covenant of circumcision (17:1-8), and it was again mentioned when Isaac’s birth was foretold (18:18) to which mom and dad got a chuckle. It was finally promised upon Abraham’s faithful obedience as demonstrated in the near sacrifice of his only begotten son (22:18).
Heir of the World. God’s covenant with Abraham was not something small or only applicable to Abraham. God wanted to bless Abraham so that He might bless the whole world through him. God’s purpose was to bless the world through the seed of Abraham to the end that Abraham and his seed might be heirs of the world. The fulfillment of this promise is seen in the seed of blessing – Jesus Christ. Listen to the letter to the churches in Galatia: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to your seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ” (Galatians 3:16). And again Paul states, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29). The very promise spoken to Abraham and to his descendants includes those in Christ as those who have the faith of Abraham.
“He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:9-14).
Not Through the Law but Through the Righteousness of Faith. The promise made was “not through the Law” as our text affirms. Being heir of the world was not promised to Abraham, his descendants or those in Christ through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Righteousness is a necessity to be an heir of God and that is exactly what Abraham was – righteous. He was righteous because of his faith.
If it those of the Law are heirs, Faith is Void and the Promise Nullified. Considering that all of God’s purposes concerning the seed hinges on a promise made to Abraham, it is startling to think of it being nullified. Also, considering man is made righteous, or justified, through faith and our faith is what overcomes the world, it is startling to think of it being made void. Both of these things would be true if men are made heirs through law keeping! However, no one is made an heir through law keeping!
Does this then mean that the Law given through Moses was a waste or insignificant? Not at all. Rather it is holy, righteous and good (Romans 7:12). But it does mean that it made no man righteous. Does this mean that the promise to Abraham was done away with when the Law came? Not at all. “What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise” (Galatians 3:17-18).
What did Law bring? First of all, “It was added because of transgressions…until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made” (Galatians 3:19). “It was a tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). But the Law did not bring righteousness instead it brings wrath. It is a “ministry of death” (2 Corinthians 3:7) and “kills” (2 Corinthians 3:6). It is a “ministry of condemnation” (2 Corinthians 3:9) as it brings the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20; 7:7)
Where there is no Law there is no violation. Praise God that in Christ we are not under law!
Romans 5:13 “for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law”
Romans 6:14-15 “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be”
Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ 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’ – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
Galatians 4:21-31 “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband.’ And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.’ So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.”