What does Galatians 3:15 teach about the reliability of God's word today? Setting the Scene in Galatians 3:15 “Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended.” (Galatians 3:15) The Legal Illustration—and What It Means About God’s Word • Paul points to an everyday practice: legal contracts signed by mere humans stay fixed. • His logic: if flawed people keep their word once it is sealed, the flawless God must keep His Word without exception. • The verse assumes the Bible’s promises are not only true but unchangeable, underscoring a literal, final authority that cannot be altered or revoked. Old Covenant Versus Human Contracts: Why God’s Promises Stand • God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6) predates the Law by 430 years (Galatians 3:17). • That Law never annulled or replaced the earlier promise; it highlighted humankind’s need and pointed to Christ. • Because the promise rested on God alone, it remains as steady today as the moment He spoke it. Other Scriptures Confirming God’s Unchangeable Word • Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie… Has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” • Isaiah 55:11 — God’s word “will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I please.” • Psalm 119:89 — “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.” • Matthew 24:35 — “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” • Hebrews 6:17-18 — God’s oath is “unchangeable,” so “it is impossible for God to lie.” • 2 Corinthians 1:20 — “For all the promises of God are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” What This Means for Us Today • Salvation: The promise that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13) is as binding now as when first spoken. • Guidance: Every command and principle in Scripture still carries divine authority; no new cultural context can revoke it. • Assurance: Because God cannot and will not amend His Word, believers rest secure in His forgiveness, adoption, and future hope. • Stability: In a culture that shifts daily, Scripture stands as the unmoving reference point for truth and morality. Practical Takeaways for Daily Confidence • Read with expectation—each promise is guaranteed by God’s character. • Obey with courage—no command will be overturned by later revelation or modern opinion. • Pray with faith—ground requests in verses that reveal God’s unbreakable will. • Stand firm in trials—anchor hope in Scriptures that cannot be canceled or amended. |
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