THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 9 of 15

CHILDREN OF PROMISE IN PERSECUTION

The children of promise have been born again into favor with God. However, there is more to our subject than this. Just as we have been born into harmony with God, we have come into disfavor with those who are born of the flesh. Indeed, Ishmael, born of the will of the flesh, could not get along with Isaac, a child of promise. He chided the child of promise, mocking and scoffing him. As it is written, "And the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. Therefore she said to Abraham, 'Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac'" (Gen 21:8-10).

Apparently it was not an unusual thing for Ishmael to treat Isaac in a disrespectful manner. They had the same father, Abraham--but they did not have the same spirit--or the same mother. The friction between these two sons depicts the variance that unavoidably exists between those who are born of the Spirit, and those who are born of the flesh. This is not, of course, a matter of opinion. "But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also."

Born OUT of this World

Remember, when a person is born again, he is born OUT of one world, as well as INTO another. Scripture says it this way, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Col 1:13). To put it another way, we are "dead" to one realm, and "alive" to the other. As it is written, "Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11).

This situation sets the tone for persecution. The condition exists because the two realms--flesh and Spirit--are in opposition to one another. They cannot be united, but are locked in irreconcilable conflict. "The Spirit lusts against the flesh, and the flesh lusts against the Spirit." As it is written, "these are contrary, the one to the other" (Gal 5:17). Flesh is not indifferent to, or tolerant of, the Spirit. It aggressively opposes the Spirit, as demonstrated in the conflict of Ishmael and Isaac. Those dominated by flesh will oppose those dominated by the Spirit. They will be aggressive against such, just as Ishmael was against Isaac.

When it comes to persecution, the Word of God is clear. "And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12, RSV). Believers are "made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations" because of their faith (Heb 10:33, NASB). Persecution is always the children of the flesh against the children of God.

Flesh takes an aggressive stance against the Spirit, and persecution is the result. Ishmael persecuted Isaac, "the Jews Persecuted Jesus" (John 5:16), and those dominated by the flesh persecute believers today! We, as Isaac was, are the "children of promise." This is why Jesus said, "In the world, you shall have tribulation . . . " (John 16:33). Egypt persecuted Israel (Ex 1-3). Saul persecuted David (1 Sam 19:9-12). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo were persecuted by the king of Babylon (Dan 3). Jezebel persecuted the prophets of the Lord (1 Kgs 18). Let no one doubt it, those who are of the flesh persecute those that are of the Spirit. We, as Isaac was, are the "children of promise."

The "children of promise" should not marvel at this situation. The unregenerate have no alternative but to oppose the godly. The spiritual light that emanates from the people of God exposes the ungodliness of the ungodly. That light draws the wickedness out of the wicked, compelling them to oppose those against whom they can bring no legitimate evil charge. Little wonder John wrote, "Do not marvel, brethren, if the world hates you" (1 John 3:13, NASB).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask for grace to respond to persecution in a manner befitting of a child of Yours.

-- Tomorrow: CHILDREN OF PROMISE IN FREEDOM --