QT 14 Nov 16, Gal 4:28-30, We have his favor -- we are his sons (if you have believed in Jesus)

Galatians 4:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.”

NOTE: I've never notice this last part of the Isaac - Ishmael story. First, the story is true and historical, but Paul points out the allegory in the story. While I have understood what each birth represents, I never noticed how the child of the flesh persecuted the child of the Spirit. In fact, the persecution results in the child of the flesh being expelled, Ishmael and his mother into the desert. I always thought the story was harsh and that Sarah seemed somewhat cruel, but in light of the allegory, it is a very interesting picture. We are heirs, and so we will as sons receive our inheritance. The son of the flesh lives according to the flesh, do's and don'ts, but the son of freedom lives by grace, having obtained a far better inheritance based not on works but on lineage. We are sons of the promise. We have a glorious future. How can we at all believe that works earns God's pleasure? We do receive rewards according to works, but not God's grace or favor. We have already obtained his favor and it cannot be taken away/