In my last blog I talked about the false works based gospel. You can find the Link below.
In this blog I will talk about being an ‘heir of the promise’.
In Galatians Chapter 3, Paul instructs the Galatians on the difference between being under the law or works and under grace based on promise.
A promise is defined as a legal declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified. That means the one who gives the promise gives the recipient of that promise the right to expect or claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act. (Webster’s dictionary)
The stipulation of the promised inheritance is based on receiving the promise by faith.
Paul says that Abraham received the promise of God by faith 400 years before the law of Moses was given. (Galatians 3:17)
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
That being said, we must now understand what the promise entails.
Paul tells us that those who have received Jesus Christ by faith are heirs of the promise.
An heir is defined as a person who is legally entitled to property or rank upon another person’s death. (Webster’s dictionary)
Now lets define the promise which Paul is talking about.
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2
Paul says that the promise inherited by those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior is the Holy Spirit. Jesus made that promise to his disciples.
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:4,5
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (Joel 3:1)
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. Acts 2:16-21
Jesus said that you cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born again of the Holy Spirit, (Born from above. Born of God.)
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
What does it mean to be born again?
First of all I will tell you what being born again is not. It is not water baptism because you must be born of water AND of the Spirit. (John 3:3-8)
It is not partaking of Holy communion or any other self initiated act.
The Holy Spirit is given as the Lord chooses.(because he knows each heart)
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:8
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:44-48
Paul confronts the Galatians about adding their own righteousness or works of the law to the grace of God.
Paul asks them this question, This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2
The Holy Spirit is the promise given to all heirs of Jesus Christ. Without being the recipient of this promise one cannot be saved.
How do we know if we have received the Holy Spirit? There are two ways and both of these ways will be manifest in the born-again person’s life. The fruit of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (All in the New Testament for you to read and examine yourself with)
To deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to deny the Holy Spirit. To have a form of godliness but no power. 2 Timothy 3:5-7
To over emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit over the fruit of the Holy Spirit, is to deny the power of God too.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:
Paul goes on to say that Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. He also said that those who serve the law are cursed or eternally separated from God. Galatians 3:10
The law is not of faith. In other words the law demands servitude. Obeying rules, jots, tittles, celebrations, feasts, acts of human initiative.
Paul says no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3: 11
Faith in the Greek is pístis which means to be persuaded, a gift from God, that can never be produced by human effort. To have assurance, certainty and confidence in Jesus Christ. (Strong’s concordance)
To have faith in God is to trust completely in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
To work for one’s salvation means that one adds to the gospel of grace something in order to “please God.”
Paul calls this adhering to a false gospel. (Galatians chapter 1)
Examples of works people add to salvation are a particular deed, act, ritual, observing of a particular day or days, observing festivals or how one pronounces God’s name, or other such things.
There is NOTHING one can do to earn salvation. Absolutely nothing!
Jesus said IT IS FINISHED.
He paid the price. His blood shed on the cross is enough!
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28
Paul tells us that there is only one way to God and that is through the Savior Jesus Christ. All people, races, cultures can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way, no other formula, no special privileges. All must come to the cross for salvation. All must be born again. All must have the Holy Spirit.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
All born of the Holy Spirit of the living God have received the promise of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. They are heirs of the promise, heirs of God.
If you want to become a child of God the way is through receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Jesus Christ is the truth. He alone gives life.
Receiving Jesus Christ means you give up your own righteousness. You recognize your sin and inability to save yourself. You turn to Jesus Christ for salvation. In doing that Jesus Christ will become your Lord. He will give you the promise of the Holy Spirit who will help you walk in his ways.
God’s word the Bible will help you grow in grace. God has promised to care for you and give you eternal life. You will receive the Holy Spirt to help you, equip you, guide you, comfort you and teach you! (John 14:25, 26)
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