Receive The Blessing of Abraham - The Promise of the Spirit

January 23, 2013 - Galatians 3:14-18

3:14		這 便 叫 亞 伯 拉 罕 的 福 、 因 基 督 耶 穌 可 以 臨 到 外 邦 人 、 使 我 們 因 信 得 著 所 應 許 的 聖 靈 。
3:15		弟 兄 們 、 我 且 照 著 人 的 常 話 說 、 雖 然 是 人 的 文 約 、 若 已 經 立 定 了 、 就 沒 有 能 廢 棄 或 加 增 的 。
3:16		所 應 許 的 原 是 向 亞 伯 拉 罕 和 他 子 孫 說 的 ． 　 神 並 不 是 說 眾 子 孫 、 指 著 許 多 人 、 乃 是 說 你 那 一 個 子 孫 、 指 著 一 個 人 、 就 是 基 督 。
3:17		我 是 這 麼 說 、 　 神 預 先 所 立 的 約 、 不 能 被 那 四 百 三 十 年 以 後 的 律 法 廢 掉 、 叫 應 許 歸 於 虛 空 。
3:18		因 為 承 受 產 業 、 若 本 乎 律 法 、 就 不 本 乎 應 許 ． 但 　 神 是 憑 著 應 許 、 把 產 業 賜 給 亞 伯 拉 罕 。

¹⁴ 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.

    ¹⁵ Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. ¹⁶ The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Paul affirms that we believers receive the blessing from God through His promise given to Abraham and his Seed - that is Jesus Christ. In other words, we through faith in Jesus Christ receive the promise of God given to Abraham, i.e., the inheritance of God. Paul states that we believers receive the promise of the Spirit - the Seal in us for being the co-inheritors with Christ. The blessing to Abraham who is the father of all faithful is the promise of the Spirit that has come upon all New Testament believers. 

Father God, I thank for your wonderful blessing of receiving Your Holy Spirit in me. I am more blessed than Abraham in some degree as your blessing and promise have been actualized in me since I put my faith in Jesus Christ's salvation and Your promise. My dear Holy Spirit, "Good morning to You". You are so dear to me that I want to stay as close to You as possible. I want to treat you as my best friend that I may develop the loving friendship with You; and through You the intimacy with Jesus like the lover and the beloved; and the loving relationship between the Father and the son. I desire for intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that draws me into the love with You, with my family, and with your people.