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Archives for April 2018

Daily Devotion 1 May 2018 Psalm 119:9, 11, 1:1-2, John 17:17 He who walks by Scripture rule

April 30, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Sunday I filled the pulpit for a local Pastor. I preached a message on obedience. Part of that message included being obedient to the Word of God. Today’s devotional deals with walking by the rule of the Word of God.

Enjoy and be challenged.

He who walks by Scripture rule

(Thomas Brooks)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:9

“I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

If you would not be outwitted by any of Satan’s evil schemes, then walk by the rule of the Word of God.

He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most safely.
He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most honorably.
He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most sweetly.

When men throw off the Word, then God throws them off–and then Satan takes them by the hand, and leads them into snares at his pleasure.

He who thinks himself too good to be ruled by the Word, will be found too bad to be owned by God; and if God does not, or will not own him–then Satan will by his stratagems overthrow him. Those who walk by Scripture rule, shall be kept in the hour of temptation.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
~  ~  ~  ~

It is expedient for us to obey God’s Word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 30 April 2018 2 Chronicles 34-35 Josiah’s wise decisions

April 29, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Last week we looked at Israel’s sad decision.

Today, we will look at Josiah’s wise decision.

Second Chronicles 34 and 35 tell of us about King Josiah. Manasseh, the wicked King of Judah, is dead. Amnon, his son, reigns two years and is killed by his servants. Eight year old Josiah takes the throne.

First, he sought the Lord. Then, he purged the high places, groves, carved images, and molten images.

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.” (34:1-3)

Second, he repairs the Temple.

“Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.” (34:8)

Third, the Book of the Law is found and read.

“And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.18 Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.20 And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying,21 Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.” (34:15-21)

Fourth, King Josiah’s tender heart.

“And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.” (34:26-27)

Fifth, The Word is read before the people and a covenant made.

“And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.32 And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.” (34:30-32)

Sixth, King Josiah kept the Passover.

“Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.” (35:1)

Josiah was the last Godly King of Judah.  The wickedness of Manasseh would not be overturned and Judah was destined to seventy years of captivity under the Babylonians.

Sin has its consequences. As believers, we should never feel we can rebel against God and get away with it. We can’t.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 27 April 2018 2 Kings 17 Israel’s Sad Decision

April 26, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

How sad it is to reject God, His Word, and His messengers.

Second Kings 17 explains how the nation of Israel, the ten northern tribes, rebelled against God. It also tells the consequence of their rebellion.

ISRAEL’S REBELLION

For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.9 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. (17:7-9)

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.16 And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. 17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.18 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. (17:15-18)

GOD’S REQUIRES OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDMENTS

Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. (17:13)

ISRAEL’S FINAL ANSWER

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. (17:14)

GOD’S JUDGMENT

And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.21 For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin.22 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;23 Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. (17:20-23)

We must each look into the mirror of Scripture and make sure we are obeying God’s commandments. Failure to follow God’s plan is a recipe for failure.

Judah, a few years later, is also rebellious and the Babylonians conquer them.

The question each one of us must answer is, “Are we willing to walk with God, keep ALL His commandments, or rebel against God and His Word?”

How we respond will determine our success or failure in this life and ultimately whether we end up in Heaven or hell.

Choose wisely.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 26 April 2018 John 13:7 Later you will understand

April 25, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

The Christian journey is one of faith. Faith that God knows what He is doing. God is in charge during the good and bad times. Sometimes we learn why and sometimes we do not. But God knows our hearts and will take care of us.

Please read with this in mind.

Later you will understand

(Charles Naylor, “When Adversity Comes” 1944)

“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

A few years ago a young preacher came to me and told me his troubles. He was passing through a time of darkness that he could not understand. Several months ago he called upon me again, and in the course of our conversation he referred to the time of trouble through which he had passed. He said, “Those things that I could not understand at that time, have taught me lessons which have prepared me to help many souls as I never could have, had I not had those severe trials.” 

Yes, things look different now. He can now see God’s hand in it. He can see that those difficult things were a blessing to his own soul and to the souls of others. He can see that he had been in God’s school of adversity and knew it not. He thought these things were destructive to him, but when he looked back upon them with clear vision and a knowledge of God’s purpose–he saw real blessing in them. He saw them as manifestations of the wisdom and kindness of God, and he thanked God for those things which had been bitter and hard to bear.

Are you passing through difficult things which you cannot now understand?

Does it look as if these things are ruining you?

Just trust God and be patient. Out of your night of bitterness, out of your darkness and woe–will come strength of character, a blessed realization of God’s faithfulness, and a knowledge of Him and yourself which can come to you in no other way. You will look back in time to come, and thank God for His wise care and tender love for you which brought you to these things, and realize that it was His hand leading you to better and richer things beyond.
~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 25 April 2018 Galatians 4:1-5:15 Redeemed from the Law

April 24, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

We continue our study of the Book of Galatians.

Galatians 4:1-5:15

Redeemed from the Law

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (4:4-5)

Introduction

Bondage under the elements of the world (4:1-3)

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Redeemed from the law, believers are Sons of God (4:4-7)

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The chains of the law and the freedom of faith (4:8-18)

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

The Allegory: Hagar and Sarah (4:19-31)

19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar.25 For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Christ’s mission of no value if man justified by circumcision (5:1-15)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

CONCLUSION

We are redeemed from the law

 

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 24 April 2018 Isaiah 66:2, Ezra 9:4, Psalms 119:120, 161 Sacrilege! 

April 23, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

God’s word, the Bible, is a sacred book. Written by God to help us know Him, His attributes, nature, works, and desire for His children.

Do we approach God’s word with reverence? Are we in awe when we read God’s lover letter to us? Do we believe what it says? Are we willing to stake our lives on it?

Today’s devotion will challenge our thinking about how we approach the Word of God.

Sacrilege! 

(Octavius Winslow)

Cultivate a profound reverence for God’s Word. Nothing is more grievous to the Holy Spirit than a trifling with Revelation. The words of Scripture are divinely inspired, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Beware of referring to it with levity. To use the words of Scripture irreverently, or to employ its phraseology flippantly, is . . .
to cast discredit upon inspiration,
to press it into the service of the flesh, and
to make the Word of God the jest book of the profane.
This is awful trifling with the thoughts and words of the Holy Spirit!

Stand in awe of this Holy Book! 

God says, “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My Word.” Isaiah 66:2

“Then all who trembled at the Words of the God of Israel…” Ezra 9:4

“My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of Your laws.” Psalm 119:120

“My heart stands in awe of Your Word.” Psalm 119:161
“God’s name is taken more times in vain in churches than anywhere else.
The blasphemy in the sanctuary is worse than the blasphemy in the street!” MacArthur

(Editor’s note: How very sad is it that many professing Christians use the holy Word of God to amuse others with ‘bible jokes’ and in other trifling and irreverent ways. Much of today’s pseudo Christian music, movies and children’s literature use the Word of God in a flippant manner, if not in a downright profane and sacrilegious way.)
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 23 April 2018 1 John 2:15-16 We find that they are empty bubbles!

April 22, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Did you know our world is perishing? Ever since sin entered the world, it has been going downhill. What God created as “very good”, is now corrupt.

So why is it that we Christians cling so closely to the things of this world? Would we rather live here than in Heaven? Heaven is perfect. No sin, corruption, or decay. It will be perfect for all eternity.

That sounds better than this present world. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

We find that they are empty bubbles!

(J.C. Ryle)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world!” 1 John 2:15-16

The possession of the whole world and all that it contains, will never make a person happy. Its pleasures are false and deceptive! Its riches, rank, and honors, have no power to satisfy the heart! So long as we have not got them–they glitter, sparkle, and seem desirable. The moment we have them–we find that they are empty bubbles, and cannot make us feel content!

And, worst of all, when we possess this world’s good things to the utmost bound of our desire–we cannot keep them! Death comes in and separates us from all our property forever! Naked we came upon earth, and naked we go forth–and of all our possessions, we can carry nothing with us.

Such is the world, which occupies the whole attention of thousands!

Such is the world, for the sake of which millions are every year destroying their souls!

“This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave!” 1 John 2:17
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 20 April 2018 Exodus 20:3 Little children, keep yourselves from idols!

April 19, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Today’s devotion was written in 1872. However, it is as relevant today as it was then.

Idol worship comes in many forms. If anything becomes more important to you than God, it is an idol. God abhors all forms of idol worship.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“You shall have no other gods before Me!“ Exodus 20:3

Though there is no danger of our bowing down to graven images–to gods that have eyes and see not, ears and hear not–none are exempt from the danger of being idolaters in spirit. There are gods many and lords many, in lands of Bibles and gospel privileges–as truly as in heathen countries!

Wealth, honor, sports and pleasure–are the idols of multitudes.
Gold is as truly worshiped–as Baal once was!
Self is as really the idol of many now–as Diana of the Ephesians was anciently.

Then, too, there are “household gods“–idols in family life. Affection in the various relationships we sustain, which is proper and lovely in a right degree–too often becomes idolatrous.

Christians have need to be warned against idolatry, as well as others. The exhortation, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols!” was addressed to believers.

Remember, my soul, that whatever may lead your highest affection and supreme devotion away from God your Savior–would be to you an idol!

Help me, O Lord, to watch and pray against the sin of idolatry in all its forms. Show me more of Your glory and Your grace–and ever hold the highest place in my heart!

“The dearest idol I have known,
Whatever that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Your throne,
And worship only Thee!”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 19 April 2018 Romans 5:6-8, John 21:17, 1 John 4:19 All this I have done for you–do you love Me?

April 18, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Why do we love Jesus? This question will be answered in today’s devotion. As you read, think about all Christ has done for you. Then prayerfully think about the answer to the question, “Do you love me?”

All this I have done for you–do you love Me?

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

“Do you love Me?” John 21:17

Does not Jesus in thus appealing to me, in effect say: 

“For you, I left the realms of glory, and the adoration of ten thousand times ten thousand holy ones!

For you, I became incarnate, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

For you, I obeyed the law, and wrought a perfect righteousness for your justification.

For you, I endured the cross, and despised the shame.

For you, I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair.

For you, I endured the crown of thorns, and gave My hands and My feet to be nailed to the tree.

For you, I shed My blood, and laid down My life!

I loved you with a love of pity and compassion–when you were dead in trespasses and sins!

I opened your eyes, revealed to you your sinfulness and guilt, and awakened your cry for mercy.

I sought you in your wanderings–and found you!

I brought you up out of the horrible pit, and miry clay–and set your feet upon the rock.

I have loved you with an everlasting love–and therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you!

All this I have done for you–do you love Me?”

“We love Him, because He first loved us!” 1 John 4:19

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

Daily Devotion 18 April 2018 Galatians 2:15-3:29 Justification by Faith

April 17, 2018 By Tom Stearns Leave a Comment

Good morning,

Chapters 2 and 3 of Galatians, Paul teaches on justification by faith. He has made his case for his apostleship and now gets down to the reason for writing this letter.

Galatians 2:15-3:29

Justification by Faith

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (2:16)

Introduction

All people must be justified by faith in Christ (2:15-18)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Counted dead to the law (2:19—21)

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The Holy Spirit comes by faith (3:1-5)

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Abraham’s spiritual children (3:6-9)

 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

One under the law is accursed (3:10-12)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ redeemed us from the law curse (3:13-18)

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The law a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ as condemned sinners (3:19-24)

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

All believers are children of God (3:25-29)

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Filed Under: The Chaplain's Perspective

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