Faith Over Perfectionنموونە

Read: Genesis 21:8–21; Galatians 3:23–29, 4:21–31

SOAP: Galatians 3:23–24

Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.

Sarah was afraid Ishmael would somehow take the promised blessing away from her son. Her unbelief turned her against Hagar and Ishmael, forcing Abraham to send them away. Though Abraham was saddened, his actions show his continued faith in God’s promise. God promised Abraham He would make Ishmael into a great nation. While Isaac would be the true heir of the covenant, God still made a promise to bless Ishmael. In sending Ishmael and Hagar away with only food and water, Abraham showed faith. Abraham could have sent Ishmael away with up to half of his herds, flocks, and servants, but instead, he trusted that God would provide for them. Instead of trusting his own means, he trusted God. 

God also fulfilled His promise to Hagar. He met her in the desert yet again, saving her and her son. God showed His great compassion for Hagar, and for all those who have been cast out, abandoned, and abused. He is the God who sees. 

After the birth of Isaac, the presence of Hagar and Ishmael in the camp was a continued threat to the promise. Though it was never in jeopardy because it was under God’s control, once Isaac was born, the promise would be fully fulfilled through him. God removed anything that was a threat to the blessing to come through Isaac. 

Jesus Christ is the promised blessing, the way in which all the nations of the world were blessed through Abraham. Before Christ, God’s people were under the law, required to walk blamelessly before Him. Because of Christ, the old order has been removed. We are no longer under the law. The promise has come through Christ, not through the law. We are joint heirs to the promise through Christ. As we remove anything from our lives that may hinder the promise (sin, legalism, etc.) we grow in our relationship with Christ. Paul reminds us in Galatians that when we bind ourselves to the law, we are denying the fulfillment of the promise through Christ. He alone is the heir, and we are given freedom through only Him. Now, in Christ, we are righteous by faith, not the law.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You alone save. I admit that I try to achieve my own salvation through my works, but I believe that my salvation is through faith alone. Help me throw out anything that hinders me from walking in faith and believing in Your promise of eternal life with You. Amen.