DON'T FORGET ABRAHAM - PART 3

THURSDAY 27 APRIL 2023

Firstly, when I say, "Do not forget Abraham", it's the same thing as meaning: "don't forget your spiritual root or lineage." Secondly, he reminds us about strong faith in God because he is the father of faith. Romans 4:16 (NLT) reads, "So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe." So when we come to Christ, we obtain faith, similar to Abraham's, and that makes it possible for us to have faith in God and demonstrate that faith effectively. Got it?

Reference: Galatians 3:6 The Voice (Voice) You remember Abraham. Scripture tells us, "Abraham believed God and trusted in His promises, so God counted it to his favor as righteousness."

As you remember Abraham, however, understand that we don't have to believe in Abraham to be made right with God. Abraham is not the saviour of mankind. Having considered the spiritual and physical aspects of the nature of Abrahamic covenant, the promises God gave him did not mention him in any way as a saviour. It was more of blessings and not salvation. Even as Abraham continued to obey God and grow in faith, more pronounced blessings were assigned to him and his descendants by God. So God expanded the promise by blessing him more. However all of Abraham's blessings were fulfilled and made possible to all people through the coming of Christ Jesus, an Abrahamic offspring, who is the only Saviour of mankind.

Salvation of mankind is only possible through Christ Jesus, the Messiah. He is the only true Saviour and Lord, not Abraham. So the righteousness of God is obtained through Christ alone. We don't have to believe God's promise like Abraham in order to receive His righteousness. We must believe in Christ, to receive it. Why? God made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness] (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV). God didn't make Abraham a sin offering; Abraham was only known for all manner of blessings and increase.

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (ESV). When we receive Christ, the righteousness of God is imputed to us, and Paul the apostle called it a breastplate (Ephesians 6:14 KJV). As a breastplate, this righteousness fortifies us against all the arrows of evil one and sinful nature. It's implanted in us as the divine nature because we belong to Christ, and it guards our minds and hearts from or against all the condemnation of the enemy. Zero wonder the Bible says, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus"...(Romans 8:1 NIV).

When you wear the righteousness of God which is in Christ Jesus, you walk with God directly and it guarantees an intimate relationship with Him as you commit yourself to fulfilling His will. And as you walk with God, He sees Jesus who died for you, in you, because the brand name or trademark of His righteousness is "Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27 NIV). I strongly believe that God knew that Abraham needed His righteousness in his day, in order to walk perfectly in His sight. Since Christ had not come to die, when Abraham believed God, and trusted in His promises, God counted and converted it to his favour as righteousness, not as faithfulness, goodness, loyalty, wisdom or intelligence. Now what is the relevance of keeping Abraham in mind, after receiving Christ as Lord? The blessings of the promise! Remember that if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29 NIV). Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 13:2; Acts 20:32; Genesis 17:1-8.

Guided Prayer: Gracious Father in heaven, I honour you today for the generational blessing which has been bestowed on me through the atoning sacrifice and redemptive work of Christ on the cross. I therefore, acknowledge that in Christ Jesus, I have gained unlimited access to Abrahamic blessing, by the virtue of the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the pledge or deposit, guaranteeing my inheritance in Christ Jesus. On this basis, I prosper spiritually, and I sustain material abundance and financial blessings, as the offspring of Abraham, in Jesus' Name, Amen!