+DEV+ Jesus: Savior by Grace Alone

Date: August 5, 2012 10:40 PM
Topic: +DEV+  Jesus: Savior by Grace Alone

Jesus: Savior by Grace Alone

"When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces."  (Genesis 15:17)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 15, Jeremiah 34:18-20

We find in Genesis 15 not only the principle of justification by faith alone, but a picture of our faithful God who saves by His grace alone. In Genesis 15:6 we read, "Abram believed the LORD, and [God] credited it to him as righteousness." But Abram wasn't so sure of the promise of a son and a land. He asked in 15:8, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?" So God had him cut up some birds and animals and arrange the pieces with a path down the middle.

In the ancient Near East, a king would do this and make his vassals walk between the pieces, causing them to swear an oath unto death that they would keep their promises to him. Shouldn't Abram walk between the pieces? But he's asleep! This is all God's doing! A "smoking firepot with a blazing torch" appear. These are "theophanies" - symbols of God's presence. God Himself swears the oath unto death! At Calvary, Jesus fulfilled the blood oath, and welcomed His Church into the ultimate Promised Land - heaven.

Insight: God Brought Abram Out Of Pagan Bondage, Just As He Chose And Brought Us Out Of Spiritual Bondage. He Is The Lord Of Sovereign Grace.