The Son of the Flesh Cast Out

Background Scripture: Genesis 21; Galatians 4
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 21:9-12; Galatians 4:22-31

Introduction

Every Christian must deal with what we often refer to as “the old man,” “the flesh,” or simply “self.” This slippery, deceptive, corrupt nature we are born with constantly wants to have its own way. Forgiveness in the blood of Jesus requires forsaking this nature and accepting a new Christlike nature that gives us power over our own selves. The scripture in this lesson is an allegory. The son of the flesh will always hinder us in godly living and will need to be turned out. It also illustrates how the new gospel dispensation took the place of the law and old covenant.

Praise God for the power to live in victory over the flesh. Life in Christ is not some narrow, dry existence, for there is no freedom like that of the Spirit-filled Christian released from the tyranny of selfish thinking and sins of the past. This freedom can hardly be described; it must be lived to be believed. We owe our nothing to our flesh and everything to Christ our Redeemer.

Key Verse

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (Rom. 8:13).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Abraham and Sarah were challenged to believe that a son would be given to them in their old age. When it became apparent that Sarah was barren, she offered Hagar, her handmaid, to Abraham to bear children for them. This was in accordance with common family custom in ancient times. Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael. Sometime after this, God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a son for him and that they should name him Isaac. Even though God came to Abraham directly and told him what was to happen, neither Abraham nor Sarah were able to grasp that this promised son would come. Do we have the same trouble believing the direct promises in the Word of God today? Perhaps we would not laugh outright as Sarah did, but how are we treating the truth that has been given to us by the church? Are we able to accept an admonition without justifying ourselves? These scriptural examples speak to the old nature of the flesh and who we allow to control our hearts.

Fourteen years after Ishmael was born, Isaac arrived. Later, at a feast prepared by Abraham for Isaac, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac, as noted in verse 29. The evil nature scoffs at sanctification and will always drag its feet at discipleship. Sarah gave Abraham an ultimatum. This son of the flesh must go to protect the inheritance of the son of promise. Abraham was reluctant because Ishmael was his own flesh and blood. This same reluctance hinders us when we are to deal with our own flesh. It is a part of us, and it seeks to take over the rightful place of God and his indwelling Holy Spirit. Again, God spoke directly to Abraham and told him that Sarah was right in insisting that Hagar and Ishmael should be turned out of the household. Abraham was obedient, and he sent them out with a small supply of food and water. In one way, this seems against what love would do, but God had a far greater plan than could be seen at that time. As He made a way for them in the wilderness, we are called to be obedient, even if we see only a very small part of the future. We cannot expect to see the whole of God’s plan, even though the flesh craves security and control. The story ends with Ishmael’s daughter marrying Esau.

Practical Truths for Today

In Paul’s day, there were converted Jews who wanted to cling to the old law. This law was what they knew, and it provided security for them. Following Christ meant self-denial, cross bearing, and following the Spirit into an unknown future (Luke 9:23). In the same way, we too, revert to following our fleshly nature. We understand it; our fleshly nature makes sense to us. We can map out our future, unconcerned about God and his rules that must be followed and obeyed. So much of the Christian way is a walk of faith; so much of it makes no sense to the flesh.

We cannot separate ourselves from our inherited sinful nature, but it can be sanctified. Sanctification distinguishes the godly expressions of habits, behaviors, and demeanor from those still ruled by a selfish nature. All of these things are under a person’s control. There must be a clean break from all known wrong and a yielding of intellect, emotion, will, and possessions to Christ. Deserting the flesh will never feel good, and likely it will never come easily. The fleshly nature is ingrown within us and is connected to our feelings and emotions. If we wait for what seems to be the right time to deal with ourselves, it will likely never happen. The violence we must do to our flesh is explained in the allegory of the casting out of Hagar. This seems cruel, but can we adopt this mindset for ourselves? Or do we carefully protect ourselves, thereby not hating the garment stained by the flesh? (Jude 23).

How are we going to set about fulfilling the key verse? To mortify means to severely subdue, restrain, and humble ourselves, even to the point of shame. The truth is that this is only possible by the Holy Spirit; we simply cannot do it without Him. When the Holy Spirit is in our heart and we see Christ clearly in all his perfection, it gives us a vision of our own depravity. This vision, coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit, enables us to walk in purity. History tells about people who have lived an ascetic lifestyle in an attempt to become more holy, but the law is unable to subdue the heart; the flesh lives on unimpeded. Basic Christian life is being at peace with God, living in submission to our brethren, and filling our place in the kingdom. Our flesh complicates these things and is always demanding to be treated fairly, to be recognized and honored. Simple, humble, obedient living is all that God is asking of us. Are you willing to forsake your own reputation to seek the humble way? We have a choice in every decision we make to seek our own glory or take up the quiet servanthood that Christ left us for an example. “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7).

No matter the rocky beginning of their story, both Abraham and Sarah are part of the faith chapter (Heb. 11) and are examples for us in faithful, obedient living. Christ can be glorified in us only as we seize the promises as they did, become willing to abandon our own selves, and seek to be as nothing.

Questions

1. Is it possible to be born again and not forsake the flesh?
2. Does self-denial get easier? Is there a way to lay a foundation in our youth that makes it easier in our older years?
3. Discuss what it means to mortify the flesh.
4. What does it mean to hate “even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23)?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).