The Promise of the Spirit
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law…so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14)
What is the curse of the Law?
“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)
The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.
But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse". Therefore we will not stay dead but will "receive the promise of the Spirit".
"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)
“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23)
What is the curse of the Law?
“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)
The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.
But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse". Therefore we will not stay dead but will "receive the promise of the Spirit".
So what is the promise of the Spirit? LIFE...Abundant, Everlasting LIFE.
"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)
It really is that simple. Mankind are sinners and the wages of that sin is death, but nevertheless, sinners have been "redeemed" from that curse as the free gift of God. When resurrected, we will "receive the promise of the Spirit"...Abundant and Eternal LIFE.
“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23)
So what does he mean when he says we receive the promise "through faith"? Is it "faith" that seals the deal?
NO, the grace of God seals the deal. Eternal life is a "free gift of God". Faith is the means of enjoying "the promise of the Spirit" until it becomes a reality.
For now, the "promise of the Spirit" is just that - a PROMISE. And we can only receive the promise if this life by believing it is true. We can have the JOY and PEACE of knowing that after we die, the SPIRIT will give us abundant, eternal life.