HEIRS OF THE WORLD
"For the promise that he should be heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith" Romans 4v13.
Paul expands his argument, in verses 13-15 for the principle of the pure doctrine of justification by faith. Previously, he has concluded from two prime examples in history that justification with God does not come from either human works or human ceremony. The only way is faith in God's word, the Divine fiat, or declaration, that a man is made right by faith. This led to a standing of personal blessedness, which meant that although things on earth may be in turmoil, personally, all is well with God. He now turns to expand this to the global work of justification affecting all believers, and he begins by focusing on the promise of God.
The content of these two verses is so staggering, it almost defies human belief, but we are talking of universal blessing that will affect millions of people in a most glorious way. Paul follows the narrative of Genesis chapter 12 - 25, and it is well to be familiar with this narrative if we are to understand what he is saying here. The structure of the two verses is as follows:
"the promise to Abraham and his seed" this is the opening statement.
"to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed" this is the goal of the statement.
Paul moves from a promise of God to a single man Abraham, and ends with a guarantee that will apply to all those who follow the faith of Abraham. When we read the narrative to do with this promise, it is very far reaching. It would affect all generations, lift them to a status of Divine approval, and guarantee them a glorious future. All this from the God who cannot lie, and whose power is unlimited to see it through. The whole point Paul is making here is that no one but God could do this so reliance on human merit and human attainment is futile. No man can be trusted to guarantee the future, either for himself or any one else, this cannot be achieved by adherence to any law, but only by faith in God's promise. What was the promise, what is it?
The promise that Abraham and his seed will be heirs of the world! The Jewish people well understood that God had set aside for them the promised land, but if they had read the narrative properly they would have understood that it referred to much more than just one strip of land. Abrahams seed would be way beyond their own nation. What God promised to Abraham and his seed was world inheritance.
- Genesis 12 v 3 In Thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
- Genesis 12 v 7 Unto thy seed will I give this land.
- Genesis 15 v 5 Look now toward heaven and tell the stars if thou be able to number them, so shall thy seed be.
- Genesis 17 v 5 And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein though art a stranger, all the land of Caanan for an everlasting possession.
Although Abraham was not promised land beyond Caanan, he must have known, although not fully understood, that this was much greater than just one nation and one small country. The scripture expands this here to explain that the promise to Abraham was that he would inherit the world. This is explained in Galatians chapter 3v16 where he points out that the seed was in the singular and referred to Christ, and from Him all his followers, so we are talking global inheritance. This subject is huge but a few references will suffice.
- Matthew 5 v 5 The meek shall inherit the earth
- 1st Corinthians 6 v 2 Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world.
- Ephesians 1 v 11 In whom also we have received an inheritance.
- Revelation 2 v 26 To the overcomer I will give authority over the nations.
- Revelation 11 v 15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever.
Although Abraham did not fully understand what was being said to him, he knew that this was something beyond his imagination yet it is recorded that "he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God." Hebrews 11v10 Abraham knew he was being promised something spectacular, and Paul interprets it here that God promised him and all his seed after him that they would inherit the world.
No human ingenuity or human effort could ever achieve anything like this, only God can do it, and the only way we will share in it is by believing it like Abraham. For the first time, in the matter of human salvation is the word SURE introduced, indicating a Divine guarantee along side the blessing, that what He has promised He will fulfill. The promises of men long term are futile, only faith in God and His word will secure the blessing. If it depended on me it would fail, if it depended on any man it would fail. The Divine fiat has been declared, what He promised will come to pass, no one, nothing will stop it. The promise to Abraham and his seed is that they would be heirs of the world and this promise is sure to all believers.
Tomorrow d.v we will consider the various aspects arising from this.
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