The good news is that God has made exceeding great and precious promises and by these we may inherit the Promised Land, be raised from the dead, and be partakers of the divine nature to live for ever. This gospel was preached to Abraham “so that they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham”. We may think that the gospel is found in the New Testament alone, whereas it was introduced in the very first book of the Bible. It is good news welcomed by multitudes throughout the ages who will be constituted Abraham’s seed after resurrection, according to God’s promise that Abraham’s seed would be multitudinous like the stars of heaven.
The Law was a curse because no-one could keep it perfectly and it brought death. So Christ came not only to redeem us from sin but also from “the curse of the law”. He did this by being made a curse for us. Although Jesus kept the law of Moses perfectly, he was executed by the Romans in a way that brought the curse of the Law upon him. Therefore when he died, not only were our sins laid upon him to be borne away, but also the curse of the Law was also laid on him: “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ”.
How marvellous is the purpose of God! Not only does he, through Christ, save us from our sinful natures which kill us and hold us in the grave, but he also releases us from the Law which none of us could keep. He makes Gentiles heirs of the glorious promises he made to Abraham and Christ, which will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to raise the faithful to live and reign with him in the kingdom of God in the Promised Land. How wise of us to believe and do what God requires that we may be included in the great multitude of saints.
It is essential that we become Abraham’s children because it was to him and his seed that God made the promises. The apostle here is quoting from Genesis where it is recorded that God promised to give Abraham and his seed the land of Canaan. This seed is Christ, but a great multitude of people will inherit the promises with him if they become the seed of Abraham by belief and baptism into Christ. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.
The purpose of the Law of Moses was to regulate the nation of Israel while they dwelt in the land, and it was like a tutor slave (translated “schoolmaster” v.24)Waiting for response for Galatians 3:24 who looked after a child in Roman households. This however was only temporary until Christ came to release them from bondage.
Verses 5-8
Waiting for response for Galatians 3:5-8Salvation cannot be obtained by “the works of the law, but by the hearing of faith”. Paul therefore shows from the scriptures and the example of Abraham that faith, i.e. belief, is essential for salvation. Therefore only those who believe the gospel are the children of Abraham.