(1. The children of the flesh are not the children of Abraham.)
Romans 9
"8": That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
(2. God's promises to Abraham were to be fulfilled in Christ who was the seed of promise.)
Galatians 3
"16": Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
"17" And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
"18": For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
"19"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed(Christ) should come to whom the promise was made; "
(3.The promises to Abraham were to find fulfillment in the New Covenant established by Christ. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ established the New Covenant or the Kingdom of God. Men enter the Kingdom of God by being born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word, which is Christ Jesus. Through Christ God recreates the human spirit into his image and likeness.)
1Pet. 1
"23": Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
"24": For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
"25": But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. |
