“Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Gal 4:30.

When Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac she told Abraham (Gen 21:10) “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” This was grievous to Abraham. Because of his natural affection for Ishmael, Abraham felt hurt and wounded when he heard these words. Then God appeared to him again, for the eight time. In chapter 21:10 we see Abraham being governed by human affection. Having learnt her own bitter lesson Sarah says, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son”. Not all who are called Christians have a part in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Nominal Christians no matter how good they may be outwardly, have absolutely no share in it. They depend upon their own righteousness for salvation. Even though Abraham had a great love for Ishmael, Ishmael had no share in God’s kingdom. He was born of the flesh but Isaac was born of the Spirit. The Lord had put new life into the body of Abraham before Isaac was born. So Isaac is a type of the power of resurrection in the Bible. Unless we receive by experience the power of resurrection we have no share whatsoever in God’s kingdom. Make sure to which group you belong: whether to that of Ishmael or to that of Isaac.

___By Vivek Anand