Abraham is a key figure in three of the world’s religions. He is the ancestor of the Jews (Hebrews) through his son Isaac. Muslims regard him as the ancestor of the Arabs through Ishmael. Christians regard him as their spiritual father through Christ (Galatians 3:29). What is important to Abraham and his linage are the promises God made to him. The land promise (Genesis 12:1,7) (Genesis 13:15-17). The promise of the nation (Genesis 12:2) (Genesis 13:16) (Genesis 17:6) (Genesis 18:18). The seed promise (Genesis 12:3) (Genesis 22:18) (Genesis 26:4) (Genesis 28:14). The Bible reveals that God has fulfilled these promises. The promise of the nation through the descendants of Israel (Genesis 46:3) (Exodus 1:7) (Deuteronomy 26:5). The land promise in the days of Joshua and in the days of Solomon (Joshua 21:43-45) (Joshua 23:14-15). Even there is the return of the Jewish people to their land, which we are seeing today. The Bible reveals that God has fulfilled these promises, and is continuing to do so. In the church in Galatia there were evidently some who sought to limit some of these promises to those who were physical descendants of Abraham. Paul dealt with this issue – declaring who is really righteous and justified before God – these are the true heirs of Abraham. In the church in Galatia there were evidently some who sought to limit some of these promises to those who were physical descendants of Abraham. Paul dealt with this issue – declaring who is really righteous and justified before God – these are the true heirs of Abraham. Who are the son’s of Abraham? They are those who are of faith! Those who believe like Abraham believed God (3:6). Without faith – it is impossible to please God – (Hebrews 11:6).
Abraham’s faith was accounted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:1-6). Notice – only those of faith are sons of Abraham (3:7). This is what the seed promise had reference to (3:8) (Romans 4:13-18). So it is those of faith who are blessed with believing Abraham (3:9).
Those who have the same kind of faith as Abraham do the works of Abraham (John 8:39). They demonstrate it by their obedience to God (Hebrews 11:8-10) (James 2:21-24). They are willing to walk in the steps of the faith which Abraham had (Romans 4:11-12). We are to walk the same way (Ephesians 4:1) (1 John 2:6).
The ones who are not the sons of Abraham are those Who seek to be justified by the Law of Moses – (Romans 9:31-32), who seek to establish their own righteousness – (Romans 10:1-4). So, those who seek salvation through the works of the Law are not Abraham’s true descendants, only those who have faith are. But it is more than simply faith, it is faith in the right Person. The true heirs of Abraham are…..
1. Those Who Christ Has Redeemed
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
- He became a curse for us by dying on the tree – (3:13)
- He bore our sins in His own body on the tree – (1 Peter 2:24)
- Offering us redemption from every lawless deed – (Titus 2:11-14)
2. Those Who Have Become The Son’s Of God
- We become sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ – (3:26)
- Faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah – (John 8:24) (John 6:69)
- Faith in that He died for our sins – (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
- Faith in His resurrection from the dead – again (Romans 10:9)
- This is a privilege offered to those who believe in Jesus – (John 1:12)
Who then are the heirs of Abraham? Heirs of the promise made regarding his seed…?
- Those who have become sons of God through faith in Christ
- Those who walk in the steps of faith like Abraham did
The heirs of Abraham are not those who claim to be so because of their lineage through Isaac or Ishmael. Not those who seek salvation through keeping the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:28-29). Are you in Christ – having been baptized into Christ and in doing so – put on Christ? If so – then you are blessed to be a true heir of Abraham according to the promise