Galatians 3: 6 – 9 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

If you have been wondering what the life of Abraham has to do with you, the answer is in the excerpt above from Galatians 3. It takes us back to Genesis 15:8 when the Lord appeared to Abram before he changed his name and said I AM THE LORD. The Lord had a lot of information for Abram about what his future would look like. He took him outside and declared that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars of heaven. It was at that point it was recorded “Abram believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Romans 3:20 tells us: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Trying to obey the commandments or doing other “works” to gain God’s favor or obtain salvation is a failed system. The Israelites could not keep the commandments and neither can you. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that  without faith it is impossible to please God.

There are many religions, each with its own practices that presumably bring its adherents close to the divine and make promises of rewards in life or after death.  But it is God who sets the standard of righteousness or what is acceptable to him. Thus, in the same way that Abraham believed God and it was accredited to him as righteousness, God has decreed that for those of us alive today who want to please him, we are called upon to believe in Jesus Christ and honor him for the sacrifice of his life in our place. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22).  That is the new and better covenant. After my reading of Galatians 3 and 4 this is what the Holy Spirit said to me:

“For I have ordained that children of faith and not works shall inherit the kingdom. This gift of God, this inheritance is for those who believe on the Son of God. All others are aliens to the household of faith. It is not for them to attain to the promises and blessings of the kingdom. So in vain they work and do works to gain my favor. But it will not profit for that is not the path I have ordained for men to come to me. It is my Son and my Son alone that can draw all men to me. It is those who respond in faith that I will call my children.”