Living Water #628

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 628 || 22nd FEBRUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

TWO SONS, TWO COVENANTS

Scripture: Galatians 4:21–23

“Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.”

The Apostle Paul begins this passage with a penetrating question: “Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?” Paul speaks to believers who desired to return to religious law as the basis of their righteousness. They believed that strict observance of rules would make them acceptable before God. Paul challenges them by pointing out that even the Law itself tells a deeper story; a story about freedom and bondage. Sometimes people admire religious systems without fully understanding their true message. Paul invites believers to listen carefully to Scripture rather than relying on human assumptions about spirituality.

1.     Abraham’s Two Sons — A Spiritual Illustration: Paul then introduces the example of Abraham, the father of faith, who had two sons. One son, Ishmael, was born through the slave woman Hagar, while the other son, Isaac, was born through the free woman Sarah. This historical account is not merely family history; Paul uses it as a spiritual illustration. Ishmael represented human effort; Abraham and Sarah attempted to fulfill God’s promise through their own plan when they grew impatient. Isaac, however, was born through divine intervention when God fulfilled His promise in His own time. The two births reveal two different ways people attempt to relate to God: through human striving or through divine grace.

2.     What Is Born of the Flesh: Paul explains that the son born of the slave woman was born “according to the flesh.” This means the result came from human strength, natural reasoning, and self-effort. It symbolizes religion based on performance; trying to earn God’s approval through works, rules, or personal ability. Human effort may produce activity, but it cannot produce spiritual inheritance. What begins in the flesh often leads to limitation and bondage because it depends on human strength rather than God’s power.

3.     What Is Born of the Promise: In contrast, Isaac was born through promise. His birth was impossible by natural standards because Sarah was beyond childbearing age. This shows that God’s purposes are fulfilled not by human capability but by divine faithfulness. The promise represents grace; God accomplishing what humans cannot achieve on their own. Those who live by promise trust God’s word, depend on His timing, and receive blessings as a gift rather than a reward earned.

4.     The Struggle of Modern Believers: This message speaks directly to believers today. Many people still live like Ishmael, striving endlessly to prove themselves to God or others. They rely on religious performance, achievements, or external obedience while lacking inner freedom. Yet the gospel calls believers to live like Isaac; children of promise who rest in God’s grace. Christianity is not built on human effort but on God’s completed work.

5.     Lessons for Individuals, Churches, and Institutions: The lesson also applies to individuals, churches, and institutions. Whenever faith becomes replaced by mere structure, tradition, or performance, people return to the “slave woman” mindset. But when communities depend on God’s Spirit, they live in freedom and experience spiritual fruit. God’s kingdom advances not by human planning alone but by divine promise fulfilled through faith.

6.     The Choice Between Slavery and Sonship: Paul presents a choice: live under the law as slaves or live under promise as sons and daughters. One path produces striving; the other produces freedom. God calls His people to trust His promise rather than depend on human effort. The question each believer must answer is simple: Are you living by the flesh or by the promise?

Call to Action:
Release the burden of trying to earn what God has already promised through grace. Choose to live as a child of promise, trusting God’s word and His timing.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for making us children of promise through Your grace. Deliver us from striving in our own strength and help us to trust fully in what You have spoken. Teach us to live in freedom, faith, and obedience to Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.