Text: Galatians 3:1-9
Memory verse:
“just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.””
Galatians 3:6
The opposite of grace is the law; of the Spirit is the flesh; and of faith is works. Grace, the Spirit, and faith are contrary to the law, the flesh and works. Living together under the law and grace is absurd. That is what some folks try to do or they just live under the law and expect to get the benefits of grace.
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal 3:3)
Grace doesn’t glory in self but the law does. Grace has no boasting except on what Christ has done but the law boasts on personal accomplishments.
Abraham received the blessing not by the law but by grace. He wasn’t in any way perfect to have qualified for that blessing. Recall that Abraham lied twice yet God declared him as righteous. (Gen 12:18; 20:2). His righteousness came because he believed God. He was justified because he had faith. He received the blessing because of his faith (Rom 4:13). His righteousness wasn’t achieved but received. He wasn’t qualified but was qualified by grace . Abraham was greatly blessed. He was spiritual great before God, as God called him friend and confidant (Gen 18:17; Isa 41:8). He was so wealthy such that his servant said “The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great…” (Gen 24:35). He was so sound in health and full of strength that at ninety nine years he was still able to father a son and after Sarah’s death, he still married wives and had children. He was also blessed with long life, such that he lived 175 good years before he died. This man was blessed with favour and protection where he went. God had to rebuke two kings because of Abraham, even though he lied! Grace doesn’t keep records of your sins unlike the law, yet grace doesn’t continue in sin
“For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,”
(Rom 4:14)
Friends, the law makes faith void and the promise of God useless. A number of people today do not walk in the reality of the blessing of Abraham because of self-effort and dependence on self.
Prayer points
1. I cast away every righteousness which is by the law and I receive the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus name.
2. Father, let the blessing of Abraham and the promise be effective in my life from now in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
2. The blessings of Abraham are mine through grace and faith and not through the law and works.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng