THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 6 of 15

A POWERFUL ALLEGORY

The church at Galatia had a propensity to Law; an inclination to obtain Divine approval by means of a religious system instead of faith in Christ. Paul came to grips with their situation because salvation was at issue. There are a number of areas where varying views may have little consequence--but obtaining eternal life is not one of them.

The Galatians were spiritually stagnant, and their theology had made them so. Their religion was their handicap! Christ was NOT being formed in them, and that is abnormal in the Kingdom of God. Paul thus labored again for them, as though they were to be born again, again. He did not discount their acceptance of Christ and regeneration. However, he does inform them they are on the verge of losing everything faith had gained for them.

In actuality, there are only two ways to approach God, and both of them have been revealed. One is by Law, the other by faith. One is by grace, the other by works. One is by commandment, the other by promise. Paul expounds these two approaches by means of a Scriptural allegory--something that occurred in history to depict Divinely imposed principles.

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the Mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free" (Gal 4:19-31).

Notice the tone of finality in the text. There is no allowance for variant persuasions. Flesh and Spirit are sharply contrasted, and human ingenuity compared with believing God. Ishmael was the result of fleshly activity--a well thought out endeavor--and thus was excluded from the promise. Isaac was the result of believing God's promise, and thus was qualified for the inheritance. The difference between the two sons was God. From one viewpoint, they were both the result human activity. However, one was the result of believing God, while the other was the product of fleshly reason.

Lest some sophist imagine that an allegory is only a mental scenario, we are told of historical occurrences. This "allegory" was produced by God in history, with real people. In fact the people involved are progenitors of great nations. But procreation is not the main purpose the two sons of reference serve. They are a vivid portrayal of Divinely-imposed principles. In this allegory we will see law and grace, commandment and promise, and faith and works contrasted. And, when it comes to the BASIS of salvation, these principles are in sharp conflict.

-- Tomorrow: THE TREASURE AND THE VESSEL --
Monday: AN OVERVIEW OF GALATIANS 4:19-31