Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE SEED

There is much misunderstanding of the spiritual term “seed.” God began to speak of it long ago to Abraham. Exceedingly great and precious promises are made to the seed of the patriarch of faith, even such promises as lie at the core of contentions to this very day. They persist though because they are to be understood in the arena of faith. Think with me about this exciting subject!

Due to extreme age; not having an heir; and being mindful of God’s promise regarding his seed, Abraham and Sarah sought to fulfill God’s promise rather than letting Him do it. Thus did they agree to use Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid, Hagar as a surrogate. The man-child born to that unholy union was Ishmael, father of Arabic people. God rejected Ishmael, however, and gave Abraham and Sarah the fulfillment of His promise in the birth of Isaac. The covenant lineage of God working through a Special people is counted through Isaac, the child of promise, not Ishmael, the product of the flesh.

However, the import of the promises and the covenants had to do with God’s plan to bring the second Adam into the world to be the only provider of salvation, and acceptable service to Him in the world of fallen man. The apostle Paul drives this point home as he forcefully declares, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Galatians 3:16.

On one of my trips to the Holy Land, I listened to both an Arab and an Israeli guide declare that the land belonged to them, each claiming the gift from their father, Abraham. The Arab claimed it solely on the basis of his father, Abraham. The Israeli claimed it as the gift of Abraham through Isaac, the legitimate seed. Both were wrong. It was promised to Abraham’s seed (singular) and that seed is Christ. Moreover since all men through the faith could be in Christ, they are counted by the Lord as His heir, the land belongs to all in Christ. Their response made me think I was lucky to escape being sent to an asylum. These two people who were poles apart quickly united in opposition to my assertions.

So, fight on, they will. But soon the seed of Abraham, the Son of Man, the Son of God will appear. Before Him shall every knee bow and every tongue confess, and those who follow Him in accord with His Holy Word will inherit with Him all things! Selah! Hallelujah, and Amen!

FOR THOUGHT: Truly great and precious promises are made to all who belong to Christ, and who seek to walk in his teachings. Are you doing this? Please know that it is not just that land, but the earth itself that the saints will inherit. When the earth is finish, the new earth will be their eternal inheritance. Why would anyone want to miss that?

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