Daily Devotional for Wednesday, January 1

The Blessings of Abraham Available to Gentiles

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith;' Galatians 3:14.

God had promised Abraham that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). We know that this wonderful promise is true because of the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ. Jesus came to bless all mankind through His perfect sacrifice. Jesus alone fulfilled the Law, but also took the curse of the Law from us, paid the price for our sins and made a way through faith for all men to be saved. We are justified before God by true faith in Jesus Christ.

If you remember, Paul started this chapter by discussing how we as God's children obtain the Spirit. "This only wouldI learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of thelaw, orby thehearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:2). He ended verse 14 with a similar thought. There were apparently people who thought the indwelling Holy Spirit came about by keeping the Law. If the Law cannot save you, and faithin who Jesus is and what He did can save you, then it logically follows that we also receive the Holy Spirit through that same faith in Jesus Christ.

Thankfully, God sent Jesus to be the Savior of mankind, not just the Savior of the Jews. Matthew said, in speaking of Jesus, "And in his name shall the Gentiles trust" (Matthew 12:21). The wonderful thing about the plan of salvation is that it is available to everyone, whether young or old, man or woman, Jew or Gentile, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11). As God's children, we need to remember that verse when we are given an opportunity to witness. If God opens that door for you, take advantage of it.

JUST A THOUGHT

It is not our responsibility to determine whether or not someone deserves to hear the gospel. Everybody needs Jesus.

Chris Floyd