Salvation by Promise Before the Law: A Journey of Faith and Grace

Salvation by Promise Before the Law: A Journey of Faith and Grace
The story of salvation, intricately woven through the pages of Scripture, does not begin with the giving of the Law. It begins much earlier, with a promise—a divine commitment that transcends human effort and legalistic boundaries. Before Moses climbed Mount Sinai, before the commandments were inscribed on tablets of stone, God spoke a promise to a man named Abraham. This promise, received through faith, would echo through the generations, pointing forward to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Join me as we explore this profound truth: salvation is, and always has been, a gift of grace through faith, not the result of human works. This journey will take us through the faith of Abraham, the role of the Law, and the transformative power of the Gospel, revealing a God who keeps His promises and a plan that invites us into eternal life.
1. Abraham: The Father of Faith and the Promise of Righteousness
“And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
Abraham’s story begins with a call and a promise. God calls him out of his homeland, Ur of the Chaldeans, and promises to make him a great nation, bless him, and bless all the families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3). What is striking about this covenant is that it is not based on Abraham’s ability to obey a set of laws or perform rituals. Instead, it is grounded in faith.
When Abraham believes God’s promise, that faith is credited to him as righteousness. This moment is monumental because it establishes a principle that echoes throughout Scripture: righteousness comes through faith, not works.
Imagine Abraham, standing under a vast canopy of stars, hearing God’s voice: “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them… So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). It is a moment of sheer trust, a moment that defines the essence of salvation by promise. Abraham’s faith becomes a prototype for all who would follow, showing that the pathway to God is not through human effort but through trust in His promises.
2. Abraham and the Law: Faith Before Rules
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, emphasizes a critical point: Abraham’s faith precedes the Law. In Romans 4:3, Paul reiterates, “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” This chronology is significant. The Law, given through Moses, would come centuries later. Abraham’s justification by faith stands as a testament to the enduring truth that salvation has always been about trusting God, not adhering to a legal code.
Paul further underscores this in Galatians 3:17, stating that the Law, which came 430 years after the promise, does not annul the covenant previously ratified by God. This means that the promise to Abraham remains the foundation of salvation. The Law, though important, is a temporary measure—a tutor leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
Faith as Obedience: Abraham’s faith is not passive; it manifests in obedience. He leaves his homeland, trusts God for a son in his old age, and even prepares to sacrifice Isaac, believing God can raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19). Yet, this obedience flows from faith, not from a compulsion to fulfill legal requirements.
3. The Fulfillment of the Promise in Jesus
Fast forward to the New Testament, where the promise given to Abraham finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The genealogies in the Gospels trace Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, emphasizing that He is the promised seed through whom all nations would be blessed.
Acts 4:12 declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the culmination of the promise. His life, death, and resurrection accomplish what the Law could not: reconciliation between God and humanity.
Jesus fulfills the Law in two profound ways:
  1. Perfect Obedience: He lives a sinless life, meeting the righteous requirements of the Law.
  2. Ultimate Sacrifice: Through His death on the cross, He pays the penalty for sin, removing the barrier between God and humanity.
The promise given to Abraham—that all nations would be blessed through his offspring—is realized as the Gospel spreads to the ends of the earth.
4. The Role of the Law: A Temporary Tutor
“The Law and the Prophets were until John. Since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached…” (Luke 16:16)
The Law served an essential purpose in God’s redemptive plan. It revealed the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. It was a mirror, exposing our inability to meet God’s standards on our own. However, it was not the final word.
The ministry of John the Baptist marks a turning point. As the forerunner of Christ, John declares, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). His message signals the transition from the era of the Law to the era of grace.
Paul explains this transition in Romans 7:6: “But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”
The Law’s time was limited, and its purpose was preparatory. It pointed to Christ, who fulfills its requirements and establishes a new covenant based on grace.
5. The Gospel: Good News for All
After John the Baptist, Jesus begins His public ministry, proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). This marks the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history.
The Gospel, meaning “good news,” shifts the focus from human effort to divine grace. It announces that salvation is available to all, regardless of background, through faith in Christ. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed.
6. Living in the Promise: Implications for Today
The story of salvation by promise is not just history; it is an invitation to live in the reality of grace. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God’s promises, even when the path is unclear.
  • Faith Over Works: Just as Abraham was justified by faith, so are we. Salvation is a gift, not something we earn.
  • Freedom from Legalism: The Law has been fulfilled in Christ. We are no longer bound by its demands but are free to live in the Spirit.
  • A Call to Trust: Abraham’s journey reminds us that faith often requires stepping into the unknown, trusting that God will fulfill His promises.
The Eternal Promise
The story of salvation by promise before the Law is a testament to God’s unchanging faithfulness. From Abraham to Jesus, the thread of grace runs unbroken, weaving a tapestry of redemption that spans generations.
Today, we stand as beneficiaries of this promise, heirs of the faith of Abraham, and recipients of the grace of Christ. The Law, with its temporary nature, has given way to the eternal covenant of grace. And this grace invites us into a life of faith, freedom, and fellowship with God.
Let us, like Abraham, believe the Lord and walk in the assurance that He is faithful to fulfill His promises. For in Christ, the promise is not only fulfilled but made available to all who believe. This is the good news that changes everything.

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