J.A. Matteson
(Devotional)
"But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son of the free woman through the promise" (Gal. 4:23). As a believer in Jesus Christ you are a child of promise in the likeness of Isaac who, by the supernatural initiative of God, was brought forth to life from death; Ishmael came forth by natural means. Isaac did not participate in his conception in the dead womb of his mother....an impossibility according to the flesh....nor do the children of promise in the likeness of Abraham contribute to their rebirth, so that it might be according to grace through the kindness of Him who calls, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy" (Rom. 9:16). For apart from grace it is impossible to be saved. If it were not for the grace of God we would remain dead in trespasses and sin. And the faith you posses is the manifestation of that grace, for it is the gift of God. Therefore, let us daily give thanks to the LORD for his kindness in calling us forth into this grace in which we now stand.
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