Gen 16:15 And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
Gen 21:3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
Abraham had two sons: Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born through Abraham’s efforts and hard work – the Bible calls Ishmael a child that was born according to the flesh to a slave woman. Isaac was born through belief in God’s promise – the Bible calls Isaac a child that was born through promise to a free woman.
Abraham had to work for Ishmael to be born; but Abraham had to believe in God’s promise for Isaac to be born. Ishmael is a child of works of the flesh but Isaac is a child of promise. The ‘birth of Ishmael’ is a picture of ‘salvation by works’; but the ‘birth of Isaac’ is a picture of ‘salvation by grace through faith’.
Child of God, you were not born-again by your works; you were born-again by grace through faith in God’s Promise. You are like Isaac – you are a child of promise. God cannot deny you. God will never disappoint you.
Gal 4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Gal 4:31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
CHILDREN OF PROMISE. From Paulos Moloi. Stay blessed.