“For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise” (vs18).

First, salvation is by promise. God gave it to Abraham, even as He gives it to you and me. He promises it to us, when we’re dead in trespasses and sins, and it comes to us in the goodness of His grace, not according to our merit in any way. Abraham was an idolater, and God came to him saying, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:1-3). This blessing was contingent upon faith, not Abraham’s merit or ability, but upon Abraham’s belief in God’s faithfulness to His promise, and God’s ability to bring it to pass. Likewise, here is salvation. If you believe that He has promised to save you, for Jesus’ sake, then you will be saved according to your faith (Matt 9:29). Believe Him to sanctify you, trusting His blood and Spirit, and He will cleanse you indeed. Nothing is to be earned. It is all a free gift to the undeserving, and all who believe the promises are saved by the promise keeping God.

You may say, “What purpose did the law serve?” It was to reveal our transgressions and identify Christ. He is the One made under the law, the One who kept it perfectly. We read, “What purpose then does the law serve? it was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made” (vs19). But, the law came AFTER the gospel, even as Exodus 20 is about 430 years after Genesis 12, and the law cannot change the gospel or break its promises. “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” (vs17). God didn’t promise salvation through our working well enough, but upon Christ’s death and faith in Him. It wasn’t something that He’d give to us if we were worthy, but it is free mercy, an inheritance, and it is given to magnify His grace. The law magnifies our sinfulness and failures. The gospel promises magnify great and tender mercies in God. It is an inheritance worth having.

Grace is free, and if you believe the command, for He commands you to believe, then He’s promised it to you personally in Christ, and He will bring it to pass. Your faith is your inclusion into the benefits, not to earn, but to receive, never to add righteousness to Christ, but always to rest in Christ and God’s grace without any contribution from us. God’s promises produce peace, and if you rely upon Him to save you, then you will be saved, and you will have REST along the way. How sweet it is to rest for every need.

Secondly, let us remember, you are NOT under the law in any way, shape, or form (vs19-25). He says, “Therefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (the law)”. You are the slave of Christ, but not Moses (1 Cor 9:20-21). You obey as a son, but never as a slave seeking merit. You are bound by gospel rules, but never Sabbaths, feast days, and the Ten Commandment (Col 2:16-17). The gospel and the law are harmonious, in that both teach us to love God and our neighbor, but they are different, in that the gospel gives us new covenant commands, which continually point us to Christ (Rom 13:8-10). These gospel commands are obeyed by faith, whereas the law is not of faith, never of relying upon Christ, and it is always based upon your efforts meeting the standard of perfection (Gal 3:10-12).

We are free sons, never judged by our merit, and we are never more accepted than another believer (vs26). We are not people who start in Christ, but then must earn our blessings by how we live. No, we are NEVER judged again as condemned, we are perpetually forgiven, and we receive everything by faith our whole life long. We always come to God in Christ as perfect, accepted, and loved, and we always FREELY receiving from His hand. Grace has no legal requirements left to fulfill, because faith justifies you forever. Faith has access into blessings, no matter how wicked the life, and no matter how saintly. We are equals who take the promises that we’re freely given, and you will never deserve anything from God meritoriously. All will be graciously given to faith, which looks to Christ and the promises in Him. Be comfortable in God’s goodness, and just receive – for your sins, for your righteousness, and for your everything. Empty handed, GO to the goodness of God.

Finally, great as these promises are, they are yours because you belong to Jesus Christ. You are in God’s family, like Abraham (vs26-29)! He says, “For you are all the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Oh, the goodness of God. I see Abraham blessed and envy his happiness. He is saved, more than a conqueror, and God has put you in the family just like him. You have been promised eternal life, and you belong to Jesus. Grace has saved you, and you are privileged beyond comprehension. This is simply to be enjoyed, believed, and held onto in the tough times… it is to be looked upon thankfully in the good times as well! Do not feel yourself poor and meaningless! Look and see all that you have inherited. If the richest people gave you all that they had, it would be short lived, and you’d give it all up in death, and then the Judgment! But, God’s given you love, joy, peace, eternal life, salvation from sin and hell, and He’s given you every good thing and every eternal blessing.