Gal 3:15-18  To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, "And to offsprings," referring to many, but referring to one, "And to your offspring," who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

KEEPING PROMISES/GALATIANS 3:15-18

            Paul, in our text today, tells us of a promise that God made with Abraham.  This promise was introduced to us in Galatians 3:6-9, 14.  This promise made over 4000 years ago is of great importance to each of us here this morning.  It’s important for a couple of reasons: 1) God made it and He changes not (cf. Hebrews 6:13-20).  2) Our personal and eternal salvation is wrapped up in this promise.  We begin by considering ... 

I) PAUL’S EXPLANATION OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT–VV.15-16

            A) Paul begins his explanation of the Abrahamic covenant by illustrating how we make promises via wills, trusts, etc.  (v.15).  Paul had in mind agreements or wills that were made in his day.  These documents are a lot like ours, but they differed in some ways.  Paul’s point is that once a will or agreement had been made, the terms agreed upon, witnessed, and then signed it was a legal and binding contract.  This is Paul’s point as he explains the covenant that God made with Abraham.  God made explicit promises to Abraham when He made a covenant/agreement with him. 

            B) Paul continues in verse 16 by stating who the beneficiaries of the covenant promises were to be.  Keep in mind what Paul said in verse 14 that the blessing promised to Abraham encompassed the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  The specific blessing mentioned is that of the promise of the Holy Spirit, and that promise is received by faith.  Note carefully in verse 16 that Paul says that God’s promises were given to Abraham and to Christ.  Just as in verse 14 note that it is “in Christ the blessing of Abraham ... come to the Gentiles.”  Jesus Christ is the key to the blessings promised to Abraham, Paul declares.  Next, Paul tells us why he is pressing this point to his original audience and to us here today.

II) OBJECTIONS RAISED–VV.17-18

            A) We need to take a moment and remember the context of Paul’s message to the Galatians.  There were those (Judaizers) in the churches of Galatia that were saying, that for Gentiles to be saved/enjoy the blessings of God, even the blessings promised to Abraham, they need to first become Jews.  And, that meant observance of all the Laws.  So, the basis of one being right with God was the keeping of the Law.  Those preaching this objected to Paul’s preaching that to be right with God all one needed was faith; faith in Jesus Christ alone to save. 

            B) The Judaizers seemed to argued that the Law that came over 430 years after God made His promises to Abraham took precedence over the promises (v.17).  In other words, new laws were enacted that superseded the Abrahamic covenant.  Paul says, Not so!  His point is:  that which came later, 430 years later, does not invalidate the agreement/covenant/will that God Himself signed, sealed, and delivered. 

            C) Paul follows up in verse 18 by saying that if the inheritance promised to Abraham, and to His seed–Jesus Christ–is based on the Law of God, then that cannot be considered a promise.  Paul is saying that the inheritance, primarily to be understood as salvation by faith in Christ (Hebrews 1:14), is granted only on the basis of God’s promise to Abraham.  So, what does all this mean to us?

III) IMPLICATIONS

            A) First, as in Paul’s day, we have those who are preaching that if we are to have right standing with God (i.e. to be saved), then we must do something.  For instance, I’ve heard folks say that you must get your life in order before God will accept you.  For the Judaizers of Paul’s day it was observing the Law of Moses that brought one into right standing with God.  But, Paul again says, Not so!  The point is that salvation is through God’s promise that He saves all by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  These hang onto nothing else ... only do they cling to Christ who died in their place, and in so doing paid the price for their sin.  What are you clinging to?  Whom are you clinging to?

            B) As stated before, we are the recipients of God’s blessings promised to Abraham.  How so?  If we are in Christ by faith, then we are heirs with Abraham cf. Galatians 3:29.  The greatest of these blessings is that we inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).  God guarantees that He will not change the provisions of His will for those who are saved.  These are eternally secure!

            C) How is such a blessing received?  Consider again Galatians 3:9 “So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”  And, let me review a few of those blessings: 1) salvation, 2) the Holy Spirit, and 3) heir of the world (Romans 4:13).  May God grant to you the gift of faith today!  God keeps His promises!!