It has been a few days since I posted here.  After the election I had a lot I wanted to say and even wrote several posts all of which I decided would be of no benefit to anyone.  They were just long complaints about the way the world is these days, and ultimately I believe that God’s providence is over all of it.  I remembered that ultimately our hope is not in government, presidents, policies, or the economy.  Our hope lies in the power of God working in the hearts of people.  Our task to give our all for the sake of the Gospel of Christ, to remain faithful to him through all of the ups and downs.  Our hope of treasures in heaven, of the resurrection and glory is in Christ alone. 

I want to continue sharing about Abram.  Last time I posted I shared about the 3 fold promise of God to Abram.  Today I want to talk about God’s promise and what it required of Abram and what it required of God. 

Often in Scripture you find God’s promise of blessing attached to an if then statement.  Take 2 Chronicles 7:14 for example, “IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Notice the requirements:

IF my people:  Humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from wickedness.

THEN I will: hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

The promise to Abram does not have this if/then qualifications.  God tells him to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household and go to the land I will show you (Gen 12:1).  Then God says, “I will 6 different times.  God does not if you leave then I will… he says, “GO” then he says I will.  The promise is not contingent on the actions of Abram.  The promise is solely contingent on the promise of God.  

So as long as God is faithful this promise WILL come to pass.   Now consider this Galatians 3:6-9, “Consider Abraham: “he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.  The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”  So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”  Galatians 3:13-14, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”  He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” 

The fact that Abram received God’s blessing so that he, Abraham, could be a blessing to all nations.   Applies directly to all who would call himself a person of true faith. 

The ultimate fulfillment of God’s three fold promise to Abraham is the life and person of Jesus Christ.  He was a literal descendant of Abraham.  He was the primary BLESSING that this section of Gen talks about, and he is the hope given to the Gentiles for the giving of that hope to others. 

The key thing to understand, is that God’s heart for the entire world did not start when Jesus gave the Great Commission.  From the moment of Creation, God desired that all of His creations be in relationship with Him, the creator.   From the moment sin entered the world, God set about a plan that would redeem for himself a representation of all peoples in the world.  As he cursed man, he says, that the seed of man will crush the serpent’s head, once again a bold prophetic word about the life of Jesus Christ. 

How have you used the blessing(s) that God has given you?  Have you been a blessing to others?  In one sense this applies financially, but the more fundamental focus is, “have you used the knowledge and hope of Jesus Christ, and given that hope to others?” 

-Chad