3:18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ga 3:18). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
As Paul exegetically walked the Galatian reader through understanding the covenant promise through Abraham and the Law given through Moses, he stresses the root problem of identity. For traditional Jews and confused Gentiles, Paul is calling out their false identity in the Law. This ancient standard that God gave to Moses was abolished by Christ.
Paul has given discourse as to the connection between the covenant Promise with Abraham to Christ. In 3:18, Paul introduces the word, “inheritance”. This concept will carry forward through much of Galatians, as Paul unpacks the idea of being an heir of God.
The promise and inheritance is of God. This is stated in 3:18 and is critical to grasp. Man does not earn his position with God by doing enough good deeds. His righteousness is through the promise from God through Christ. The challenge is that a person identifies with Christ, and not in humanity.
Where a person finds their identity determines how they live their life. The challenge in applying this verse is that we take a long internal look and assess our identity. Do we truly find our identity in Christ, as an heir to the promise?
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