Have you ever searched
your family’s ancestry? Genealogies have
really become popular lately. Most who
trace their lineage today do so as a hobby.
The Jews have always
placed a great deal of emphasis on their ability to trace their family line
back to Abraham (the father of their faith).
They rested secure in the knowledge that God’s promises to Abraham were
to be inherited by his descendants. So
it was extremely important for them to keep track of their linage.
But Paul mentions
three things about these promises to Abraham (Galatians 3:6 - 4:7) that are
important for us. (1) The Jews were not
the only descendants of Abraham. He had
other children besides Isaac. (2) God
said that ALL nations would be blessed.
And (3), the promise was for Abraham’s seed (descendant) - singular, as
in one person. Why only one? Because only one son can inherit a fathers’
estate. But just who is this one
descendant?
ALL of God’s promises
find their “Yes” (fulfillment) in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is
proof positive that God has kept every promise that He ever made. His promise to Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus
- the rightful heir.
Now this wonderful
promise has been extended to all who wish to become co-heirs with Him (Romans
8:17). The way to do that is by being
baptized (immersed) into Christ. This
allows us to clothe ourselves and be united with Him (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians
3:26-29). We, in turn, become sons of
God through Jesus and receive the right to inherit the same blessings He does!
How cool to think that
God would consider those in Christ to be His own children (1 John 3:1-4)! But it is not to be taken lightly or with an
attitude that we are better than others (as the Jews of Jesus’ day did). Every part of our life must now reflect the
loving, forgiving Father who adopted us into His family (Romans 8:12-17). Once clothed with Christ, it is our purpose
as sons of God to live righteously in the world and strive to bring more lost
souls into Jesus.
Doug
No comments:
Post a Comment