Paul continues his scathing rebuke to the Galatians on siding with the legalists who were against the freedom that was available in grace. We saw that Paul asked two questions to the legalists or those siding with the legalists in Gal 3:1-5. Now, he uses their heritage to prove his point- Abraham.
Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. . (Gal 3:6-7)
Not just any faith, but faith in the “Seed”
In Genesis 12, God told Abraham to leave Ur of the Chaldees and set out for another country. Abraham “obeyed” and even “believed God” because Heb 11:9-10 says by faith he sojourned.
But He was not counted righteous then.
In Genesis 15, the Lord showed him the stars of heaven. “So shall thy seed be,” He said, pointing him to the sky. “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). It was when he put his faith and his trust in what God had to say about the coming “Seed”—one of the Old Testament names for the Lord—that all of the righteousness of God was transferred to him.
A lot of people believed in what God said, and many “obeyed Him too”, but the salvation was always for those who believed in the “Seed”, Jesus.
Abraham didn’t live by the Law
Yes, Abraham didn’t have a law, and yet he was righteous.
His life wasn’t perfect—he made mistakes, serious ones, and many lows as he tried to “help” God with the promise by taking Hagar (see Genesis 16:1–4). He also “let” Abimelech take Sarah to protect himself (see Genesis 20:2–4). Big time issues!
And yet he was the friend of God, why? Because he was righteous.
Paul uses this to drive home one simple point: salvation is all about faith. No elaborate law, no perfect track record—just genuine belief.
Conclusion
If Abraham lived without the law, and yet he wasn’t all worried about it. Abraham didn’t have the moral laws, ceremonial laws. But when he was made righteous, he doesn’t ask ‘God, does that mean I can go sin all I want?”. I wonder why we get all worried about us going and sinning when we hear that we are not under the law, and we are forever righteous.
We are one step better than Abraham. Abraham was made righteous, but he still had a body of sin, because the crucifixion had not happened yet. But we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and our body of sin has been done away with. We are in a better position to live by the Spirit.
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