The Inheritance of Promise not of Law

God= 217;s promise to Abraham of an inheritance had nothing to do with the law. This promise, which became a coven= ant, had everything to do with God Himself.&nbs= p; Abraham simply received what God spoke and as a result believed God!=

Why then the Law?

God ne= ver intended the law for man to keep or that man should do things for Him. God’s first commandment for = man had nothing to do with man’s conduct but with eating (Genesis 2:17). Exodus 19:3-8 shows us a glimpse into God’s heart and His intention regarding the law. (See Exodus 19, footnote 8, Recovery Version.)&= nbsp; God’s heart was to “bring His people into His presence so that He could reveal Himself to them and impart Himself into them through H= is speaking to them. God’s people, however, did not understand His intention. Their natural, fallen, and religio= us concept was that God wanted them to do certain things for Him, and they tho= ught they were able to do these things. Since this was their concept, it was necessary for God to give them commandments to show them how high His requirements are and how unable to fulfill these requirements they were.” God’s people did not know God and they did not know themselves. They did not have a heart for God (Matt 15:8).

The Law as a Mirror or X-Ray

God= 217;s intention in giving the law was to expose man and show man who he really is – sin (Romans 3:20). Th= e law can be considered as a mirror to give us a proper knowledge of our condition and ourselves. The law can al= so be likened to an x-ray to penetrate our being to expose our real sickness, whi= ch is just sin in our fallen constitution.&nb= sp;

Our Fallen, Old Man and the Law

Instea= d of allowing the law to expose us, our fallen, old man always inclines to keep = the law to have a self-made righteousness and be perfect (“…my own righteousness which is out of the law…” - Philippians 3:9). But no matter how hard we try; our efforts to keep the law will always result in failure, condemnation, and spiritual death (Romans 7:18-24). The problem is not with the law.&nb= sp; The law is holy and righteous and good (Romans 7:12). But it cannot give us life. The law can only give demands that= we cannot fulfill because of sin in our flesh (Romans 7:14).

Different Reactions Living Under the Law

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= There are different reactions from living under the law. One rea= ction is to think we are “making it.” We try to attain to our own standa= rd of self-righteousness making us proud and pompous (See Luke 18:9-12). It seems we have need of nothing.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Here is a big warning. One of the chief characteristics o= f the church in Laodicea= was that they “…have need of nothing…” – Revelation 3:17). With this k= ind of heart, the Lord has no way to touch us.

= Another reaction from living under the law is to be so over= ly accused and condemned that we become numb.= We lose heart from trying so hard and never “making it” = that we give up. The result is we = are also far from the Lord and once again the Lord cannot touch our heart.

The Key is Our Heart! - A Heart that is Simple and Touchable! <= /span>

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= Whether or not we are a law keeper= and lawgiver or a God seeker and God lover all depends on our heart! It is a great blessing to have a h= eart that is simple (1 Corinthians 1:12, 2 Corinthians 11:2-3, Acts 2:46, Luke 18:15-17). To be simple is to be single.&n= bsp; This is a virtue of God’s life in us. Also, it is a great blessing to ha= ve a heart that is touchable (See Luke 18:13-14). If our heart is caught by trying t= o keep the law we will miss our inheritance in Christ. But a simple and touchable heart can receive the promise out of faith in Jesus Christ.

= “Lord Jesus have mer= cy on me. Work in my heart to make me simple and touchable! Amen.”