Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

A promise is meant to be kept. In the Old Testament, a promise with a blood sacrifice, sworn on something very reliable or valuable was never to be broken. It was called a covenant. God made this type of Covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 12 & 15). And he intended to keep it. In Genesis 12 he says he will give it to him and his seed. As Paul explains, this seed was Jesus.

Paul makes a very good point here: the promise was established before the law was given. As a covenant, the promise, with which God swore upon himself (the most powerful being there is), superseded the law.

The law did not erase the promise, it allowed for it to be fulfilled. How? By preserving a remnant of righteous Jews, by engraving in their minds right and wrong, and by pointing out his faithfulness throughout the ages.

The promise was given in grace so Gentiles would be able to receive the gift of salvation. The law was given in judgment.

When we live by the law without grace, after the fulfillment of the promise in Jesus Christ, we sacrifice our ability to have a personal relationship with God. We must live in the light of the grace given to us and be beacons of grace to those around us.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of your covenant. You planned a long time ago for my salvation. May I embrace all that you have for me and cast away the worldly practice of griping about how life isn’t fair. Teach me to be gracious and not judgmental.