THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise." (Gal 4:28 KJV)
Devotion 14 of 15

THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH

Remember, the "children of promise" alone can inherit the blessing. The children of the flesh, like Ishmael, will finally be expelled from the house--even though they appear to occupy it for a season with the heirs. How forcefully this is affirmed by the Spirit. "That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants" (Rom 9:8 NASB).

God does not look at profession or human achievement to determine whether we are heirs of Himself and joint heirs with Christ. Our academic excellence, religious success, and public recognition have no value on the Divine scale. The "descendants" are determined by their relationship to "the promises."

Ponder again some of those promises. (1) A new heart and a new spirit (Ezek 36:26). (2) They will walk in His statutes (Ezek 36:27). (3) His law will be put into their minds and written on their hearts (Jer 31:33). (4) They will all know Him (Jer 31:34). (5) They will hearken to the voice of Jesus (Deut 18:15). (6) They will follow Jesus, refusing to follow a stranger (John 10:5). (7) They have crucified the flesh, with its affections (Gal 5:24).

If there is no correlation between an individual and what God promised concerning His people, the individual is simply not a recipient of the blessing. Admittedly, this position is not popular with the religious masses, yet it is true.

The "children of promise" have experienced a real work in their hearts. What God promises He would do has been done in them--they are "children of promise." Paul alludes to this reality in Romans 2:29. "No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God" (NIV). Thus flesh is totally excluded in the identification of the "children of promise." Those who glory in the flesh, or outward appearance, betray their exclusion from the promise.

PRAYER POINT: Father, grant me grace in Jesus' name to see the flesh as You see it, and to perceive and appropriate the promises You have made concerning those in Him.

-- Tomorrow: CONCLUSION TO SERIES --
Thursday: New series, DEAD TO THE LAW