September 21, 2017

We are redeemed

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of His Spirit through faith.” Gal. 3:13-14

Christ took upon Himself every curse, so we could receive the blessings promised to Abraham.  His death opened the door for the blessings of Abraham to come upon the Gentiles.  Praise God!  In so doing, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit – through faith.  The word promise holds great significance for us: it means both what the promise is and the assurance that it will happen.  Jesus Christ promised believers that He would not leave us alone, but give us a Helper – His Holy Spirit.  Christ lives inside of each believer in the person of the Holy Spirit.  It was a promise made – and a promise granted, for all who call upon the name of the Lord! 

The promise of the Holy Spirit was made in several books, including:

• Joel 2:28-29;
• Ezekiel 11:19;
• Zechariah 12:10; and,
• John 7:39.

Gal. 3:15-18 addresses the fact that the promise came about as a result of the covenant with Abraham and his Seed.  This brings us back to Genesis 22:18, in which the Lord states, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”    It is the singular “seed” and not plural “seeds” because the reference is to the natural seed of Abraham, which has spiritual implications for believers.  We are part of the seed!  That Seed, culminating in Christ, provides for believers an inheritance that can only be received by faith, not through works under the law.