THURSDAY March 11, 2021

Born According to the Spirit

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “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.
Galatians 4:28-31

What does Paul mean? It is because of Isaac and Jesus Christ that we have become sons of God. We received the Holy Spirit, and His work has been manifest in our lives. This is a direct fulfillment of the divine promise. We have become God’s children, not only physical heirs, but spiritual heirs of the Kingdom of God.

Look at the Arabs and the Jews today; they are in constant conflict. Nothing has changed much over time! The two cannot coexist. That is why Paul gives reference to Genesis 21:10-12:

Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.”

In our Christian walk with God, the flesh can no longer rule where the Spirit lives––it cannot. That is why pastors teach that you cannot be a Christian trying to walk in the Spirit, and yet live a life in the flesh––according to your carnal desires. It does not work that way. Cast out the flesh!

The flesh and the Spirit cannot live together, it is impossibility. You are either governed by the flesh or the Spirit. This is the illustration given by Paul to the Galatians to explain that legalism, bondage and freedom cannot coexist together. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ––period.

The gift of sonship to God becomes ours not through being born, but through being born again.
~J.I. Packer~

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