I am a son of Abraham

"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham." (Galatians 3:7)

Abraham was the father of two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. The first came by the strength of man. Ishmael was blessed by God and became the father of twelve sons. Of those offspring there was and has been no end of strife. In the affairs of man there is a lesson here: when men attempt to superintend the affairs of God the eventual outcome is sin and sorrow.

The second son, Isaac, the son of promise, came by the power of God. Isaac was the son whom Abraham had long awaited. Following his foolish attempt to hasten the promise of the Lord, Abraham had this son in his old age. This is the son from whom the patriarch, the prophets and the Christ have come.

Although Isaac was the son of promise, this promise was not limited to his natural offspring. No, this promise had a twofold fulfillment. It was for the natural descendants firstly and secondly for all who come to God in the same manner of Abraham - by faith.

"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)

I am a son of Abraham. Not by Ishmael, nor by Isaac, but by faith. I am one who was far off;  a sinner by nature and by choice, a hater of God, an inventor evil. I have come by no merit of my own, but by the grace of God. According to his eternal decree I have been rescued and redeemed. I have been brought near to God and am a beneficiary of the promise to Abraham. I am a son of Abraham!

The purpose of this blog will be to unfold the truths of this reality: It is for all who wonder at the patient love of God. It is for those who long to know the purpose of God in drawing rebels near to himself. It is for those who desire to live lives of obedient sacrifice. It is for those who long to worship with the angelic host in awe of God's manifold wisdom.

All of this has been accomplished by Christ Jesus. He is the redemption. He is the righteous sacrifice. He is the firstborn from the dead. He alone is the source of salvation for all who believe and are given the right be called co-heirs with Christ and sons of the living God.

My desire as this blog goes forward is that your hope will be placed in Christ alone. May he who is faithful and right be declared here. May all who profess the name of Christ know the saving grace of Christ and declare with me: I am a son of Abraham, a son of the living God!

- JM

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 24,25)