Studies in the Book of Galatians
Gal 3:18
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
KJV
God does not owe any man eternal life. Our inheritance in God, eternal life, does not depend on our efforts at keeping the Law but by believing the promise through Christ. The essential thing here is that the inheritance is a promise-gift. It is God’s act of grace and mercy to men and not of merit. God does not owe any man eternal life; in reality we deserve eternal death because of sin. But God ‘s love fulfilled the demands for man’s reconciliation back to Him. Entrance into God’s presence is no longer closed but open to everyone who believes in Christ, through whom we come to God.
One thing we must note again about a promise is that it is not in the power of the one who would receive the promise to fulfill it. The one who gave the promise is the only one who can fulfill his promise. It is his initiative and totally depends on him. He alone has the means of fulfilling what was promised. That also will be done at the time He is pleased to fulfill it.
When it comes to possessing our inheritances (temporal) the promises of God concerning that inheritance must be located and by faith claimed as our own. If faith is the means by which we possess our inheritance, then knowledge is key. Ignorance of what is promised will greatly hinder our ability to possess our inheritances. God, it seems, will not automatically perform those promises because He has promised. We must engage Him by His Word through faith.
Our assurance that what is promised will be fulfilled is established in the character of God and His power. God is true, the only wise God and all-powerful. These attributes encourage us to trust in His faithfulness; that no matter how long it takes to fulfill the promise, He will never forget and at the appointed time, He will bring to pass what He had spoken.