In seeking to keep all things spiritual as this is the proper location from which we are all now to occupy after we have accepted and received our Redemption through the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. I will now endeavor to look at our Promised Heritage which is first seen in Genesis 3:15 and is repeated again to Abram some 430 years before the Law. But first I will again turn to the writings of Pastor Hoekstra on Grace and good works of Faith. Making use of the ESV translation from my e-Sword program.
"More on Grace and Good Works"
"From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the Grace of GOD for the work which they had completed. And when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that GOD had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." (Acts 14:26-27)
"When the Apostle and his team left their home church of Antioch, they were commended to the Grace of GOD." The believers at Antioch trusted in the LORD to impart sufficient Grace for this demanding mission.
What an amazing journey it was. They encountered a false prophet early in the trip, as they attempted to reach a local official. Paul boldly confronted his opponent, by the power of the Spirit. "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all Righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the LORD? " (Acts 13:10). When the LORD struck this sorcerer blind, the civic leader believed.
Then, in Perga, Paul effectively preached the risen Christ in the synagogue. "And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of GOD" (Acts 13:44). When Jewish (this consisted mostly of the scribes, lawyers and Priests and a few hired agitators) opposition arose, the team offered the Gospel to the Gentiles. "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the LORD . . . And the word of the LORD was being spread throughout all the region" (Acts 13:48-49).
Next, in Iconium, much fruit ensued, in spite of substantial opposition. "A great multitude both of the Hebrews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews and Hebrews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the LORD, Who was bearing witness to the word of His Grace" (Acts 14:1-3).
Later, at Lystra, Paul was stoned by those who resisted the Gospel. Yet, he would not be silent, continuing to Derbe and other towns. "And when they had preached the Gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned . . . strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith" (Acts 14:21-22).
Now, the missionaries are back at their home church of Antioch. The work GOD intended was finished, because His Grace brings His work to completion. "They had been commended to the Grace of GOD for the work which they had completed." Then, when they brought their report, they spoke of what GOD did, not what they did. "They reported all that GOD had done with them.""
Heirs of GOD, our spiritual heritage:
Romans 4:9-15 "Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the Righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised (a gentile). The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised (now an inward operation accomplished by GODS hand) who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the Law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the Law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the Law brings wrath, but where there is no Law there is no transgression."
Romans 8:12-17 "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of GOD are sons of GOD (the Isr El or Ben El). For you did not receive the spirit of slavery (from which we have been freed) to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of GOD, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Galatians 3:23-29, 4:7 "Now before Faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be Justified by Faith (now both Justification and Faith are Christ). But now that Faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of GOD, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Hebrew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all One in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Galatians 4:1-7, 8 "I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, GOD sent forth HIS Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem (ransom) those who were under the law (Genesis 3 sins, rebellions penalty), so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, GOD has sent the Spirit of HIS Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through GOD. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods."
Titus 3:1-11 "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of GOD our Savior appeared, HE saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to HIS own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal (restoration) of the Holy Spirit, Whom HE poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
Hebrews 1:5-14 "For to which of the angels did GOD ever say, "You are My Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I Will be to Him a father, and He shall be to Me a son"? And again, when HE brings the firstborn into the world, HE says, "Let all GOD's angels worship Him." Of the angels HE says, "He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire." But of the Son HE says, "Your throne, O GOD, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved Righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore GOD, your GOD, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions." And, "You, LORD, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; they Will all wear out like a garment, like a robe You Will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years Will have no end." And to which of the angels has He ever said, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?"
Hebrews 6:13-20, 11:7 and 1Peter 3:7 "For when GOD made a promise to Abraham, since HE had no one greater by whom to swear (took on His Oath), HE swore by Himself, saying, "Surely I Will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
So when GOD desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, HE guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for GOD to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 11:1-7 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of GOD, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD. And without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM. By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
1Peter 3:1-7 "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in GOD's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in GOD used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the Grace of Life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
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