Faith Like Abraham Series

Faith like Abraham

Galatians 3:6-14

Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ alone. Paul has clearly argued that this biblical doctrine is central to the gospel. The Galatians had been influenced by Judaizers, those who taught works of the law were also necessary to secure salvation. Apparently, the Judaizers sought to use Abraham as an example to justify their teaching. In the text, Paul addresses the faith of Abraham, and all who are justified by faith.

As one considers Abraham, and all the saints of the Old Testament, the question is often raised – how were they saved and made acceptable to God? While it may seem difficult to fully comprehend, Scripture is clear that they were justified by faith, like all who believe. When we pause to consider it, only a small portion of believers over the time of humanity were present when Jesus died and rose again. The rest have had to look to Calvary and the empty tomb by faith. Some looked forward to the time when God’s promise of the Messiah would be fulfilled, and others, like us, look back to the time when Jesus fulfilled redemption’s plan. Regardless, we are all justified by faith in the finished work of Christ.

As we discuss the factors associated with faith in Christ, I want to consider: Faith like Abraham.

I. Justified through Faith (6-9) – Using Abraham as a biblical example, Paul continues to argue for justification through faith. Notice:

A. Abraham’s Justification (6) – Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. This is a simple and emphatic statement. Abraham believed God, and his belief in God, (his faith in God), was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham was declared righteous by God based on his faith in God. Gen.15:6 – And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Although Abraham lived prior to the atoning work of Christ being completed, his faith in the promises, yet to come, secured his righteous standing with the Lord. His life would reveal his faith, but Abraham’s acceptance of God was based on his faith, not works of the flesh.

B. The Believer’s Identification (7-8) – Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Paul further admonished the Judaizers. Those who are justified by faith are the true children of Abraham. Those justified by faith stand as children of Abraham, and as such, children of the Lord. Being accepted within the family of God is not inherited biologically, but spiritually. In fact, God’s promise of blessing the nations through Abraham was a spiritual promise. Through the lineage of Abraham, Christ would come. His redeeming work would provide salvation for all who place their faith in His finished work. By declaring that all nations would be blessed in Abraham, God was preaching the gospel before Abraham even had a biological son to carry on his lineage. God had a plan!

C. The Believer’s Provision (9) – So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. The Judaizers would never have questioned the faith or blessing of Abraham. However, they believed one had to adhere to the law in order to receive such blessings. Paul declared the blessings of God are secured by faith, not through a particular bloodline or works of the flesh. Faith secures justification, and faith results in the favor of God for those who believe. Neither Jew or Gentile has any claim to justification apart from faith. "The blessing bestowed on Abraham, of being counted righteous on the basis of his faith in the Lord, is the blessing now bestowed on all—the blessing of being counted righteous on the basis of our faith in the Lord," Phillips. (i)

II. Condemned without Faith (10-12) – After speaking of Abraham’s justification by faith, and affirming, yet again, justification by faith for all who believe, Paul spoke of the condemnation of those outside of faith. Consider:

A. The Sinner’s Position (10) – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Those who continue to seek righteousness through the works of the law remain under the curse – they remain separated from God, condemned in their sin, due to their inability to keep the whole law. The only way to overcome the condemnation of the law, apart from Christ, would be to keep the law perfectly, and no man has the ability to keep the entire law. James declared that if we failed in one point of the law, we are guilty of breaking the entire law, James 2:10. Paul had lived the life of a devout Pharisee, and he knew that he wasn’t able to keep the entire law. Those who choose to “earn” their salvation will never be saved; they will remain cursed by the very law they try to uphold.