Abraham is the father of all believers in Jesus Christ (Jn 8:39-47). To be a child of God is not a matter of physical (ethnic) lineage, but rather spiritual adoption that transforms us into the true likeness of our Lord. Further, merit nor entitlement grant us access to salvation. Instead belief is gifted to those whom God has chosen, thus Paul words, “Know then that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham.”
Why is the promise of Abraham good news and a continual encouragement to the Christian? Here are three thoughts that will help us answer this question:
#1 Your salvation isn’t by accident. It wasn’t God’s plan B. When our first parents (Adam & Eve) sinned against His Word, thus allowing death to enter creation, God didn’t say, “Whoops!” or “Well….that was an epic fail. I better go devise a strategy to save these people now!” The Bible teaches that the plan for our redemption was hatched before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4-5).
#2 The good news of our salvation has its root in the Old Testament. John the Baptist and Jesus started their ministries of the Gospel with the same declaration (Mt 3:2, 4:17), “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” This was not the beginning of the message of salvation, but rather through the promise given to Abraham, the Gospel was declared, thus, “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham…” What a blessing it is to know that your union with God is not by accident or happenstance, but was planned and purposefully orchestrated by God through history.
#3 Your salvation is inclusive on an international scale. God’s family is diverse. No one group (like OT Israel) can claim exclusive rights to God based on ethnic heritage and nationality. God promised Abraham that salvation would be for all (Jews and Gentiles), “In you shall that nations be blessed.” Further, Jesus gave his church the commission to spread this gospel of salvation unto all the earth of every nation, tribe and tongue (Mt 28:19-20).
What is Paul’s message to the Christian: Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham by which we are blessed eternally by God. All this was set in place before he created the world That is how much God loves you, thus Paul words, “So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” With these encouragements, let us turn away from beggarly teachings that promote discontent and alternative ways to the blessings of God. Let us rather focus on the promise of the scriptures that glorifies our Lord and Savior who fills every need we could ever have. It was a promise he made to us before we existed. Let us ponder the weight and magnitude of this truth. Then praise God! Amen!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springofivingwaters.com