Devotions

One aspect of the heresy was the denial that Gentile believers were children of God. The other aspect was the rejection that Gentile believers were justified by faith. In our text, Paul addresses both errors.

In refutation of these errors, Paul demonstrates that Christ is the seed of Abraham and heir to Abraham’s promises (Galatians 3:16). When a Jew or Gentile believes the gospel, God views him as one with His Son. Because Christ is the seed of Abraham, those in union with Him must also be children of Abraham (3:7). Christ is the heir; therefore, Gentile believers in union with Him must also be heirs of the promise: “If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29; see also 4:7). But the Gentile is not merely the child of Abraham, he is more importantly a child of God: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). Because God views them as His children, God sent His Spirit into their hearts crying, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6).

Closely connected with the Gentile’s adoption is his justification. God declares a Gentile to be righteous on the same grounds that He declared the Gentile a child of God-union with Christ. If a Gentile believer is not in union with Christ, then he will perish in his attempts to merit either his adoption or his justification (Galatians 5:2-6). Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to demonstrate that we are justified when we believe and that believing also makes us the children of God at the same time. What a precious thought for us today: “Now are we the sons of God.”