A. Now this may be interpreted allegorically

1) Allegory: a term for a figure of speech. It is a story or picture with a hidden meaning. The characters in allegories are symbols which represent particular ideas. Example: Aslan the Lion in Chronicles of Narnia. The story has a figurative meaning, not just a literal one.

2) Slave son: “Under the law” “according to the flesh”

a) Using the law as a means of being justified to God. Not the intent of the law.

3) Free son: “Child of promise” “born through promise”

a) Relying on God’s word that He will get us home. “The righteous shall live by faith” Paul uses this in Galatians 3:11 (And Romans, and Hebrews) but it comes from Habakkuk 2:4, “"Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

A) Hebrews 11:1-3

B) Isaiah 54:1

C) Living by faith will bring obstacles, trials, disagreements. Jesus said it would look like we hated our fathers and mothers compared to how much we loved and followed him. Living by faith means that we live with our eye toward what is to come like it was already here. (Galatians 4:29)

A) What do we inherit?

1. God Himself (Psalm 73:25-26)

2. Upon our resurrection, new imperishable bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-44)

3. We get the world (Rom. 4:13, Rev. 21:1-4)

4. We will get trouble, suffering, & persecution (2 Tim. 3:12, John 16:33)