THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 10 of 15

CHILDREN OF PROMISE IN FREEDOM

Ishmael was a slave, Isaac was a son! Because Ishmael was a slave, he was in bondage. Because Isaac was a son, he was free, having full access to his father's house. The parallel continues in the allegory. Those in Christ are free in the highest and holiest meaning of the term. Thus Paul writes, "But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother . . . But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise" (Gal 4:23,26). Here, the futility of earthly wisdom and the magnificence of Divine commitment are seen.

Spiritual freedom is little appreciated in today's religious world. Either it is shunned as though it presented a license to sin, or it is embraced to escape responsibility. Both conclusions are the result of delusion and hard hearts. Freedom involves release from the obligation to sin. It includes the freedom of the will to want to please God. In Christ, we are free to come to God. We are free to do His bidding with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thus we are free to say "no" to sin and temptation. We are free to leave the devil's domain, and be seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Those in the Son are "the children of promise!" They are children of the "free woman," and have a right to enjoy the good things of God.

This freedom will be brought to a culmination in the world to come, as it is written. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city" (Rev 22:14). Jesus liberates us to obey God, to keep His commandments, and to engage in good works. None of these are possible to those enslaved to sin.

It is for freedom that we have been made free! "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Gal 5:1, NASB). This freedom is not for self, but for the Lord. We have not been freed from moral restraints, but to the service of the King. "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal 5:13, NASB). Contrary to the world's assessment, bondage is found "in the flesh," not "in the Spirit." Those who live in sin are not free as they suppose! As it is written, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin" (John 8:34, NASB).

The Extent of the Fall

The extent of servitude to sin is scarcely known today! It is the Law that discovers and proclaims this servitude so clearly and succinctly. The Law announces to humanity what is right, and what is wrong. It proclaims what is to be done, and what is not to be done. It also announces the penalty for infracting its commandments. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek 18:4).

If information and human effort can save, the Law certainly has given us enough information, and encouraged enough human effort. However, every soul that hears the Law is driven from the presence of the Lord in a hopeless condition. How graphically Paul stated the case. "And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died" (Rom 7:9). A sense of the utter helplessness of flesh gripped the heart of Paul, and death swept over him like a mighty tidal wave. He was not free outside of Christ! He was a bond slave to sin, just like all humanity. Armed with the right information, he was not able to extricate himself from the cursed realm! He was not free. He could be told what was right, yet could not perfectly do it. He was not free. He could be told what not to do, yet could not totally refrain from it. He was not free.

Contrary to the demands of the Law, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). We are free to ask for grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:16). We are free to confess our sins and realize just and faithful forgiveness from God (1 John 1:9). We are free to resist the devil (James 4:7), put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:13), and run the race that is set before us (Heb 12:1-2). God be praised, the children of promise ARE free!

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank you I have been made free for freedom--to move about unencumbered in the heavenly realms.

-- Tomorrow: JESUS CAME TO FREE US --