READ Galatians 3:15-18

This morning our reading comes from Galatians 3:15-18.  This section is all about promises - Man's promises and God's promises.  An even stronger word for "promise" is the word covenant.  Notice what this section states about covenants:

vs. 15 - "Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto."  There is an expectation expressed here and that is; even that covenants between men are to be kept and honored. Psalms 15:4 speaks of the fact that an upright person is one who  "...sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."  Any one of character binds himself to keep his word.  It isn't to be annulled (disregarded) or added to, it is to be kept.

vs. 16-18 - "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise."  Note three things:

• God made His covenant with Abraham and his seed - vs. 16.

• God gave His covenant of faith 430 years before He gave the Law - vs. 17.

• God gave His covenant or inheritance by promise - not the law - vs. 18.

There may be people (and there are) who break promises or covenants, but God never breaks a promise or covenant.  God promised blessing would come through Abraham and his seed, and that is precisely what has happened through Jesus Christ.  Salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life are made possible through Christ alone.  May we rejoice in every promise of God, for He will keep His promises!!!

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Are you in the habit of keeping promises that you make to others?  What are the hardest promises for you to keep?  Why?

2.  For you, what is a stronger commitment: your word or your name written on a contract?

3.  Do you think that God would ever break His covenant with you?  What factors brought you to your conclusion?

4.  Can you really trust God to give you an inheritance—even through your sin and fall short?

5.  How can you back up what you believe about God's promises?