Grace, Promise and Faith...

Abraham was a pagan like us from a heathen community. The LORD called him and promised him to make him into a great nation and blessed him. The LORD also promised to make his name great, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through him.

Through the stars in the bright Middle East night sky, the LORD preached to Abraham the same Gospel that we have heard from the story of the star of Virgo (virgin birth of Jesus in the Books of Gospel) to the star of Leo (Lion of Judah in the Book of Revelation). Abraham believed and God declared him as righteous.

Genesis 15:6 ~ And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

From the account of Abraham in the Book of Genesis and the Book of Hebrews, Abraham was known as the Father of faith. The LORD addressed  this faith giant as His friend and referred Himself to his descendant as God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Through Abraham, a tiny nation of Israel, made out of his 12 tribe’s of descendant was born.

Abraham lived before the dispensation of Law, an era of grace and faith. Like all of us, this faith giant made mistakes here and there. He committed adultery by sleeping with his maid who gave birth to a son by the name of Ishmael. Because of his beautiful wife Sarah, He lied to two different kings just to prevent himself from being killed by these kings.

Indeed the life of this faith giant is a total conflict to our human definition on righteousness. Our definition is to do good or right so as to be righteous. But God accounted it to Abraham for righteousness because he believed in Him. This is interesting… and whether you like it or not, it is all about the promise of God. And Abraham’s actions could not change the promises of God for a promise is unearned and unmerited.

Romans 4:16 ~ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring — not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.

In the body of Christ today, there are believers who believe in their own effort and their doing good to get righteousness. The Bible addressed these performance orientated believers as babies who drink milk instead of solid food. But those whom the Bible addressed as matured are those who abide themselves in Jesus’ grace and righteousness. The Book of Romans says for those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life. The matured are destined to reign in inheriting the blessing of Abraham as they are justified by faith not work and they are the true seed of Abraham.

Galatians  3:26 - 29 ~ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A seed by itself is a finished product and the full measure of grace is in the seed. The seed promised a tree and fruits beyond measure, and more seed are in every fruits… If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.