Allegories and Persecution

For years a small newspaper published my articles called “Parables.” They were short stories about life illustrated spiritual truth. Some call them allegories. Jesus used parables yet there is a danger in allegorizing the narratives of Scripture. Unless I’m careful, I could get carried away with all sorts of ideas that God never intended in those Bible stories.

However, there is one historical event that the Lord clearly used that way. It is drawn from and Old Testament event and used in the New Testament to explain why salvation is by faith in God’s promises rather than by anything we can do . . .

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Galatians 4:21–26)

The promise was this; God said Abraham and Sarah would have a son. Yet Sarah was barren and they grew old. Abe got impatient and the two of them decided he should take one of her servants and have a child that way. Hagar was not part of the promise of God. The child born to her was not the son that God promised Abraham. Not only that, the child born to Hagar became the forefather of the Arab nations, enemies and persecutors of Israel for centuries. Why was that? When the child of promise was born to Abraham and Sarah, it seemed totally impossible; both of them were advanced in years, yet this child was the promised one of God, the child of faith.

Now you, brothers (speaking to Christians), like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. (Galatians 4:28–31)

This passage shows how faith is about being children of God according to His promise of eternal life for those who believe. It also shows that trying to earn salvation is slavery and that is not God’s plan.

These verses remind me of Christians who are persecuted by those who live according to the flesh rather than according to the Spirit of God. Why does that happen? Many times there is no reason. The animosity is just there and fits with the words of Jesus:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10–12)

God’s people are mistreated because those who do it are aware that He is in their lives and they rely on His promises. This hatred is often strong and without any other reason. However, instead of being dismayed or fighting back, we are to be glad that the life of Christ is so evident in our lives that the animosity against Him is taken out on us.

Jesus has many facets. He is kind, gentle, forgiving, but He also made a whip and drove money changers out of the temple and called the religious people “white-washed sepulchers.” This tells me why the prophets were persecuted yet some Christians are not. What we reflect of Jesus can be heart-warming, but also convicting truth, or annoying goodness or a way of life that is angrily misunderstood.

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Lord, I’m not sure what my day holds, but from this I realize that the way others treat me might have something to do with You. I cannot blame thoughtlessness or any poor relationship skills on You, but if I am reflecting You, it could bounce back in negative ways. Give me insight and discernment, but also the sweet, sweet Spirit as I interact with those around me. Help me to be thoughtful and kind, truthful and uncompromising, reflecting whatever You are in the way that You want. May I be a blessing, yet being a conviction is okay too.

Today’s thankful list . . .

Christian music.

A tremendous sermon yesterday called, “When it’s time to run.”

Freedom to worship.

A long visit with a lonely single parent.

Leftover chicken that makes a great salad.

Chocolate cookies.

Abiding Radio streaming from the Internet.

The ability to text with family near and far away.