His Burden is Light

What is the difference between the manner of conception of Isaac and Ishmael? I ask this question because they are often used as an allegory for faith versus works. Isaac was born through faith in the promise of God and Ishmael by human works attempting to fulfill God's promise on His behalf. Ishmael turned out to not be the promised son and became instead the figurative father of works-based, legalistic religion such as Judaism and Islam (Gal 4:21-25), and indeed the literal father of the false prophet Muhammad. Isaac, on the other hand, became the only begotten son of Abraham (Heb 11:17), a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. The thought that Isaac was born through faith in the promise of God and Ishmael, through human works to fulfill that promise, omits something very important and this omission leads to an error that denigrates works in the Christian life. The error is corrected when we recognize the fact that Isaac was not a virgin birth. Abraham slept with Hagar, Sarah's ...

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16:20 This is one of my favourite verses because of course, it still applies today. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16-17). The scripture therefore is much more than just a historical record of what happened in those days but an instruction to us about what will happen still in these days. If you go forth and preach the Word, the Lord will work with you and confirm what you are preaching to be true by means of signs that follow this preaching. This is true and the purpose of this post is to share a recent series of events that demonstrate this. When I saw the signs from the Lord I was so heartened and encouraged, it gave me joy for the...