“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – to all the Seed; not to that — only – which is of the Law – but to that – also – which is of the Faith of Abraham – who is the Father of us all! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Since January we have been looking at these texts which focus on God’s promise unto Abraham, Sarah – and their Seed. We have concluded that – according to the Bible – God’s Promise unto Abraham (including Sarah and their Seed, Isaac) – where the history of this fallen world is concerned – is the Gospel Promise of the Glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be. And, this “Promise of the Gospel of God” – unto His chosen one Abraham – constitutes God’s declaration and report of God’s Gospel of Eternal Salvation – unto all His Elect! This is what is referred to from Ge.12:1-3 where it is recorded what God spoke directly to Abram – when He said unto him:
“Get thee out of thy country – and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house – unto a land that I will show thee (2) And I will make thee a Great Nation – and I will Bless thee and make thy name Great and thou shalt be a Blessing.(3) And I will Bless them that bless thee – and curse him that curseth thee – and in thee shall All Families of the Earth be Blessed!”
This Gospel Truth is made clear and plain from the Word of God – in the apostle Paul’s epistle unto the Galatians in the New Testament. (See Ga.3:8> “And the scripture foreseeing that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith – Preached before – the Gospel unto Abraham – saying – in thee shall All Nations Be Blessed!”) Paul – inspired by the Holy Spirit – correlates this statement concerning God as the one proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Abraham – in His telling him that He (God) was going to Bless him and spiritually impact every Family in all the Nations of fallen and sinful earth!
Now we know from history that God did not mean everybody in all the earth – but “Somebody” from every Family in fallen earth’s history! This points directly to the Biblical Doctrine of God’s personal Election unto Eternal Salvation! This makes the Bible (earthly) story – of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac – a phenomenal and spiritually significant paradigm of the whole History of Redemption! This gives us a description of the Entire Elect Family of God – whom the Father gave unto His Only Begotten Son – and then sent Him into this world to Save them (see 1Ti.1:15). And as being God’s Eternal Lamb – Slain from the Foundation of this sinful fallen world (see Re.13:8) – He then Sealed All Their Eternal Salvation (see 2Ti.2:19) through His Resurrection from among the sinful dead! Which Resurrection we have just celebrated just this last Sunday – Praise the Name of Our Risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
And, just think of it – all of us who have been drawn to Christ – He Will Raise Up Us – Also! Amen!
— John Carpenter
