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

PARTAKERS THROUGH THE PROMISES

Peter confirms that spiritual maturity, or participating in the Divine nature, comes by means of the promises, not the commandments. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Pet 1:4). The NIV reads, "that through them you may participate in the Divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." This emphasizes that both sides of salvation are accomplished through the promises of God. On the one hand, we escape from the corruption of this world like Israel escaped from Egypt. On the other hand, we partake of the Divine nature like Israel came into Canaan. Both are achieved through God's "exceeding great and precious promises."

Those who come into affiliation with God through the new birth are "partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel" (Eph 3:6). So marvelous is this New Covenant, it is associated with eternity--something not addressed by the Old Covenant. Here is an arresting thought: the words "eternal life" are not mentioned in Genesis through Malachi (KJV, NASB, and NIV). The term "everlasting life" is mentioned once in Daniel 12:2--and that is in reference to a coming time (KJV, NASB, and NIV). "Life forevermore" is mentioned once in Psalms 133:3, a prophetic Psalm (KJV, NASB, NIV).

It must be remembered that "eternal life" is the summation of Divine commitment. In words that the Holy Spirit teaches, "And this is THE promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The New Covenant provides a basis for the conferment of "eternal life," which is the ultimate of partaking of the Divine nature.

The Means Is Not the Law!

Whatever may be said of Law--any law-- it is not the means of appropriating eternal life. That ought to be clear by the entire body of Scripture that administrated the First Covenant. This is not to be construed as a criticism or rejection of Law. God forbid! Rather, it shows that the law-principle is not sufficient to justify us, or qualify us for the promise of eternal life. Promise emphasizes Divine commitment. Law emphasized human responsibility.
However, the Law, in any form, offers no strength, no forgiveness, no grace, and no means of recovery.

At the peak of its glory, the Law was a "ministration of death" and a "ministration of condemnation" (2 Cor 3:7,9). It did not bring life, but brought death to those under its administration. It did not justify sinners, but condemned them. The law was powerless to remove the past or strengthen the present. It could not cause the star of hope to shine, nor could it produce confidence in the heart. It was "weak through the flesh," and therefore unsuitable to form a basis for fellowship with God (Rom 8:3). The Law did not point to the future, but to the present. Because it could find nothing but sin and defilement, the law shut the door to heaven, forbidding men to approach the living God in a state of defilement.

A Glorious New Covenant

How gloriously different is the New Covenant! It brings life, not death, and ministers righteousness rather than condemnation (2 Cor 3:6,9). How are these marvelous effects produced? They come by promise! The New Covenant brings an anchor that is "within the veil" (Heb 6:19)--in the throne room of heaven! The New Covenant has a forward posture--one of promise. It primarily secures the future of its constituents--it is a covenant of promise. It is a covenant that was promised of old time, and it is a covenant that brings promises of good things in the future. It is established upon "better promises" (Heb 8:6). These promises do not hinge upon human accomplishment, but upon the acceptance of Divine accomplishments! It is a covenant of promise.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in Jesus for Your exceeding great and precious promises! I thank You that Your grace has freed me from the condemnation of the Law, and promised good things to come.

-- Tomorrow: CHILDREN OF PROMISE --