KBM Abraham's Seed

Today we continue looking at our theme “Impact 3:16” turning our attention to the powerful book of Galatians. Once again Paul is having to deal with the judaizing teachers. Those that had been Jews, who obeyed the gospel, but got caught up in keeping the Old Law or trying to merge the Old Law with the Law of Christ.

Galatians 3:2 NKJV

2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

How do we know he is talking about the Law of Moses and not just “law in general?”

Galatians 3:10 ESV

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

This is a quote from Moses in Deuteronomy 27:26 as Moses preached to the children of Israel about obedience to God as they prepared to enter the Promise Land.

Now these Judaizing teachers were caught up in keeping the Law of Moses and as Paul defends the Law of Christ and points out the failures of the Old Law (Galatians 3:11) he proves his point by going to the “father of the Israelites” Abraham to show it was always about the Messiah not Judaism. Let’s read Galatians 3:15-19.

Galatians 3:15–19 (NKJV)

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

Notice Paul’s argument that the promise of the Messiah came before the Law and therefore the Law cannot override the Messiah and what he was promised to do. In other words, the Law of Moses cannot still be in effect because the promised Messiah has come now.

Thanks be to God that the promised “Seed of Abraham,” Jesus the Messiah, did come, did suffer, did die, was buried, and most importantly did rise from the grave on the third day so that you can I today can have hope in eternity.