THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 3 of 15

THE NEW COVENANT -- A PROMISE

The Old Covenant was more related to commandments than to promises. In fact, the Ten Commandments are called "the words of the covenant" (Ex 34:28; Deut 29:1). The tablets on which these commandments were written were identified as "the tables of the covenant" (Deut 9:9,11,15; Heb 9:4).

The New Covenant is quite different. It is more related to promise than to a commandment. It does not exclude commandments, nor minimize their importance. However, it is based upon promise. It raises men to higher consideration, and that for a reason. Jesus has taken away the sin of the world, and has reconciled the world to God (Heb 9:26; 2 Cor 5:18-20). He has destroyed the devil, spoiled principalities and powers, and ended the Law as a means to righteousness (Heb 2:14; Col 2:15; Rom 10:4). Because of these accomplished, Good News can now be announced to humanity!

The New is the Oldest

From this perspective, the New Covenant is actually the first, or oldest, covenant. As it is written, "Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as referring to many, but rather to one, 'And to your seed,' that is, Christ. What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate A COVENANT previously ratified by God, so as to nullify THE PROMISE. For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on A PROMISE; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of A PROMISE" (Gal 3:16-18, NASB).

1 - The word "promises" is used because of the extensiveness of God's commitment to bless the world through Abraham's Seed. In the coming covenant God committed to effectively address everything that had been contaminated by sin.

2 - The covenant hinged on a single Person--Abraham's Seed, Jesus Christ. By saying the promises were made to Abraham and his Seed, the Lord emphasizes that Abraham received the commitment, but it would be fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We also see the New Covenant, or Promise, is actually made with Christ. We participate in is because of our affiliation with Him.

3 - The Law, with all of its rigorous demands, could not negate or invalidate the promise. It was given for a different purpose, being added "because of transgressions," to point out the need for a Savior and reconciliation.

4 - The inheritance is conferred by means of a promise, not a law. That inheritance is summarized in two words: "Blessing," as stated to Abraham, and "eternal life," as defined more particularly by Christ and the Apostles.

Do not miss the glory of this viewpoint! The old covenant was based upon law. The New Covenant is based upon promise! That promise was first given to Abraham, and it was one of blessing. Because it hinged upon the Person of Christ, it was an effective promise that could not be nullified by the imposition of the Law--the first covenant. The Old Covenant was "first" by enactment. The New covenant was "first" by promise.

By calling the New Covenant "the promise," Paul shows it is older than the Law. In fact, the Law "came four hundred and thirty years later." That means God's intention, from the beginning, was to bless humanity through Jesus Christ. Salvation by grace through faith was not an afterthought! Salvation in Christ is not a Divine reaction to man's inability to keep the Law. It is an "eternal purpose," conceived before the world began (2 Tim 1:9). The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed the "promises" made to "the fathers" long before the giving of the Law (Rom 15:8). These are the primary promises that are "yes and Amen" to those who are in the Son (2 Cor 1:20).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, give me to see the greatness of Your promises. In that understanding, your commandments will be precious.

-- Tomorrow: PARTAKERS THROUGH THE PROMISES --