The below commentary was first published in the blog post Children of Abraham.
Praise the Lord (Psalms 117:1-2) that it is the spirit that matters not the flesh (John 6:63), that we need not concern ourselves with genealogies (Titus 3:9) for God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) but of faith, as it is that which He counts for righteousness (Romans 4:5).
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-7)
Since Abraham is the father of all those who believe (Romans 4:11-12), we become children of Abraham through our faith and will sit down with him in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11), while the children of the kingdom (that is, of the physical seed or flesh) will be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12) if they haven’t believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:9)
In John chapter 8, when Jesus is speaking to the Jews on the Mount of Olives He acknowledges that they are Abraham’s seed (John 8:37) but not Abraham’s children (John 8:39) as they sought to kill him (John 8:40). He further confirms that being the physical seed of Abraham is not what matters when he tells them that God is not their father (John 8:42) but, rather, that they are of their father the devil (John 8:44).
In Romans chapter 9, Paul is also very clear about Israel, the seed of Abraham, and the children of God.
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:6-8)
When we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) we are born again in the spirit (John 3:6) and become sons of God (Romans 8:14).
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17)
Praise the Lord that it is the spirit that matters not the flesh.
Related: The Spirit Quickeneth but the Flesh Profiteth Nothing
Related: The True Israel
Matthew 3 Audio
Matthew 3:1-12
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
