Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Vital Doctrines)
我夜间的歌曲《重要教义-救恩》
Text: Galatians 4: 28-29
MSITN VITAL DOCTRINES – SALVATION
“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.
Galatians 4:28-29
CHILDREN OF PROMISE
1. The Apostle Paul sought to make a distinction between:
a. The son of Hagar, Ishmael.
b. The son of Sarah, Isaac.
2. The word, “son” extended to the word “children”.
a. Technically, Hagar had only one son.
b. Sarah also had only one son.
3. The word “children of promise” was not used to describe ethnic descendants.
4. This phrase was employed:
a. To all who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
b. He is the Seed of Abraham.
c. Through Him and in Him, all believers are called “children of promise”
i. This includes ethnic descendants of Abraham.
ii. This also encompasses those who are called “Gentiles”.
iii. All who have believed in the promises of God by faith.
5. Paul added another important phrase.
a. How do believers become “children of promise?”
b. This is possible because believers are “born according to the Spirit”.
c. The Spirit of God is involved!
6. An important teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.
a. The Lord Jesus explained this teaching to a teacher of Israel called Nicodemus.
b. The Spirit of God brings about:
i. A spiritual birth.
ii. The believer is said to be “born again” (John 3:3).
iii. Paul wrote in full agreement to this teaching.
7. He who is born according to the flesh.
a. In the original context, it is a reference to Ishmael.
b. He was born “according to the flesh”.
c. He was not born:
i. According to the promise.
ii. According to the Spirit.
d. Ishmael “persecuted” Isaac.
i. Ishmael was “scoffing” at Isaac (Genesis 21:9).
ii. He was laughing at Isaac derisively.
iii. Paul used the word “persecuted” to describe Ishmael’s action.
e. Those who were born of the flesh continue to persecute those who are born according to the Spirit.
i. That was very true in the days of the Apostle Paul.
ii. Believers had to endure persecution from those who did not believe.
我夜间的歌曲-重要教义-救恩
经文：加拉太书 4
“弟兄们，我们是凭着应许做儿女，如同以撒一样。 当时那按着血气生的逼迫了那按着圣灵生的，现在也是这样。”
《加拉太书 4：28-29》