It Starts Small

 ⁶ just like Abraham who believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness?

⁷ You know, then, that those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons. ⁸ Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you. ⁹ Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.

Galatians 3:6-9

Paul is quoting Genesis 15:6.

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:6

Paul fervently uses the powerful example of Abraham to elucidate his profound message of salvation through faith. Abraham stands as the revered patriarch of the Jews, the cornerstone upon which their legacy is built. God generously bestowed upon him the magnificent Abrahamic Covenant. With unwavering trust, Abraham boldly left his familiar home, courageously journeying into the vast unknown. He obediently offered his beloved heir, Isaac, as a heartfelt sacrifice, displaying a loyalty that resonates through the ages. Yet, astonishingly, it is not these monumental acts that render him righteous. Instead, the sheer strength of his faith shines brightly. It illuminates the path of salvation.

Notice that the righteousness, even then, is not his own. It was graciously credited to him! What does that truly mean? It means that God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, chose to count Abraham as righteous! He wasn’t righteous in his own right; every person is a sinner, undeniably flawed! Yet, in a magnificent act of divine love, God chose to see him as righteous. This act illuminates the beauty of grace that transcends our human failures!

The principle in this verse is extremely significant. Paul quotes it also in Romans 4:3, and James quotes it in James 2:23.

³ For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:3

²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

James 2:23

From the very beginning, God established this profound principle of “salvation by faith.” Their illustrious forefather, Abraham, exemplified extraordinary obedience. He could attain salvation solely through faith. How could the Galatians then possibly believe that they could earn salvation through the mere works of the law?

Those of faith are the sons of Abraham

²⁹ And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:29

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8

Jews held an immense pride in their ancestry. They believed with conviction that they were a chosen people. They saw themselves as the beloved children of Abraham. This deep-seated conviction led them to feel inherently deserving of God’s favor. They believed they deserved blessings and even the promise of salvation merely by virtue of their lineage. Yet, John the Baptist boldly challenged this notion, shattering the illusion with his powerful message.

⁹ And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.

Matthew 3:9

John fiercely understood that merely being a Hebrew did not equate to possessing a heartfelt relationship with God. One’s lineage offered no assurance of salvation. John boldly confronted this misconception. He passionately preached against it. He courageously challenged the arrogance of prideful Jews who scorned others and believed their heritage alone would secure their salvation.

Paul passionately asserts that the true sons of Abraham are those who embrace faith just as he did! The Galatians, though not of Jewish lineage, have the opportunity to be saved. They can be declared righteous before God in the same manner as Abraham himself!

Know this: simply being part of a Christian family will not grant you salvation. As I’ve passionately conveyed before, God has no grandchildren. Each of us will stand before Him, accountable for our own deeds and decisions. This truth is especially crucial for those raised in Christian households. It extends to your children as well. Make it your mission to instill in them the understanding that they must forge their own paths. Train your kids diligently. Equip them with the knowledge they need. They should make the righteous choice to dedicate their lives to serving God wholeheartedly.

In you shall all the nations be blessed

Paul passionately declares that the Scriptures foresaw the incredible truth that the Gentiles would be justified by faith! In essence, salvation through faith isn’t a secondary option; it’s the glorious plan all along! The law was given as a divine mirror. It reflects the reality of our sinfulness. It reveals to us the profound truth that we cannot meet God’s righteous standards by our own strength!

Salvation has been and will always be by faith alone.

Those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham

Basically, we stand at a profound crossroads. We can embody the faith of Abraham. He was a man whose genuine belief in God illuminated his path. Alternatively, we can drift into the hollow existence of the Pharisees. Abraham’s unwavering faith was his lifeline; it was that deep-seated trust that brought him salvation. God bestowed His righteousness upon Abraham, recognizing the purity of his faith. In stark contrast, the Pharisees tried to earn God’s favor through empty works. These actions devolved into mere rituals. They lacked sincerity and love. They tried to achieve righteousness on their own, yet their efforts fell short because they were anything but righteous. The tragedy lies in their unwillingness to humble themselves before the Almighty. As a result, God withheld His grace. This left them devoid of the righteousness they desperately sought.

Abraham’s faith burned brightly, igniting a fierce determination within him to take bold action. In this light, Paul is not merely espousing a hollow faith. Instead, he champions a vibrant, living conviction. This conviction compels us to act with purpose and passion.

How has your unwavering faith in Christ transformed your life? God called Abraham to embark on a magnificent journey into a new land. In a similar way, He beckons us to step out in faith. What sacrifices have you made along this path of obedience? Is there a profound calling stirring within you? Does it urge you to dive deeper into your relationship with Him? Are you meant to follow His divine purpose?

---

Cross References:

• Genesis 15:6
• Galatians 3:29
• Hebrews 11:8
• James 2:20-24
• Romans 4:1-18

Questions to Ponder:

• Why does Paul bring up the example of Abraham?
• What does it have to do with Paul’s “thesis” in Galatians?
• What does it mean that those who are of the faith are “sons of Abraham”?
• What do we learn from verse 8 about God’s plan?
• When and how did God decide to take the gospel to the Gentiles? Why is this important to Paul’s argument?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.