Children of promise
The Bible uses the term “child of promise” to refer specifically to Isaac, the son God promised to deliver to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham had 8 children (Gen. 25:2, 9) but only Isaac was the child of promise (Gen. 21:12).
The promise God gave to Abraham included the provision that He would bless all nations through Abraham’s Seed (Jesus), and those who receive that blessing by faith in Jesus are known as the spiritual children of that promise. Therefore, the New Testament uses the term “children of promise” to refer to all who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ, the Seed promised to Abraham.
“Children of Promise” are neither “promised children,” nor “children that have God’s promise”, but those who are children, not by mere fleshly descent, as was Ishmael, but by promise, as was Isaac: children of the Jerusalem above, belonging to it by virtue of God’s promise, even as Isaac was the child of Sarah by virtue and in consequence of God’s promise. Likewise, the Children of Promise are born by virtue, and in consequence of the promise, not only made to Abraham, but to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are all spiritual children of Abraham and Sarah. We have become “children of promise,” descendants of Abraham “like Isaac,” not through birth, but rebirth; not by law, but by promise; not by works, but by faith. “If you are Christ’s,” Paul wrote, “then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29).
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.