Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Choice
Israel's Role in God's Redemptive Plan and the Mystery of Divine Election
Romans 9
Solicitude for Israel
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,
whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.
For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON."
And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived * twins by one man, our father Isaac;
for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,
it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."
Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."
What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!
For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION."
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH."
So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.
You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"
On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?
Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another * for common use?
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory,
even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.
As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.' "
"AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,' THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;
FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY."
And just as Isaiah foretold, "UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY, WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH."
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;
but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.
Why *? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,
just as it is written, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Three Questions
How does Romans 8 define the conflict between flesh and spirit?
What is the ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8?
How does God's love secure believers' salvation in Romans 8?
Question 1 - How does Romans 8 define the conflict between flesh and spirit?
The concept of the conflict between flesh and spirit is a major theme in Romans 8. Here's how this chapter of the Bible defines it:
Living according to the flesh is characterized by being concerned with worldly things and desires. This way of life leads to death and is hostile toward God, making it impossible to please Him.
Living according to the spirit involves focusing on spiritual matters and aligning oneself with God's will. It results in life and peace.
The presence of the Holy Spirit marks the difference between these two ways of life. If the Spirit of God dwells in a person, they are living in the spirit and belong to Christ.
Even though the body is subject to death due to sin, those who have Christ in them have a spirit that is alive because of righteousness.
Believers are not obligated to live according to the flesh. They are called to put to death the deeds of the body through the spirit, which leads to life.
The spirit empowers individuals to overcome the desires of the flesh. Through the spirit, believers can cry out to God as "Abba, Father," signifying their adoption as His children.
The conflict between flesh and spirit is further emphasized by the groaning of creation and believers. Creation, subjected to futility, awaits its liberation from corruption. Believers, while possessing the first fruits of the Spirit, also groan inwardly, anticipating the full redemption of their bodies.
The Holy Spirit provides help in this conflict by interceding for believers according to God's will, even when they don't know how to pray properly.
Ultimately, nothing can separate believers from God's love in Christ Jesus, including the struggles of the flesh. This underscores the power of the spirit to overcome the challenges posed by the flesh.
Question 2 - What is the ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8?
The ultimate destiny promised to believers in Romans 8 is glorification with Christ.
Believers, those who are "in Christ Jesus," will be freed from sin and death by the law of the spirit of life.
The Spirit of God dwells in believers, making them children of God.
As children of God, believers are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, meaning they will share in Christ's glory.
Believers will experience suffering in the present time, but these sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory that will be revealed to them.
Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus, ensuring their ultimate glorification.
The passage also mentions the redemption of believers' bodies as part of their ultimate destiny. This redemption is described as something that believers eagerly await, along with the revelation of the children of God and the liberation of creation from corruption.
Question 3 - How does God's love secure believers' salvation in Romans 8?
The security of believers' salvation is deeply rooted in the unwavering and boundless love of God, as demonstrated through several key points.
God’s Love Manifested Through Christ
God's love is most powerfully displayed through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. By sending Christ to die for humanity, God demonstrates His commitment to reconciling people to Himself.
This act of self-giving love assures believers that God will also provide everything else needed for their salvation.
The sources emphasize that Christ's death and resurrection, along with His intercession at God's right hand, guarantee that no accusation or condemnation can stand against those whom God has chosen.
The Indwelling Spirit as Assurance
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit serves as a constant reminder and assurance of God's love and the believer's adoption into His family.
This Spirit empowers believers to live according to God's will, putting to death the deeds of the flesh and fostering spiritual life and peace.
The Spirit also intercedes for believers in prayer, aligning their desires with God's will and ensuring that they receive His guidance and support.
Overcoming Obstacles Through Love
The sources emphasize that believers will face challenges and suffering in this present life.
However, God's love provides the strength and resilience to overcome these obstacles.
The future glory promised to believers far outweighs any present suffering, and the certainty of this future glory is rooted in the unshakeable love of God.
Unbreakable Bond
Romans 8 culminates with a powerful declaration of the unbreakable bond between God's love and the believer's salvation.
Nothing, not even death or the forces of evil, can sever this connection forged in Christ Jesus.
The sources present this truth as a source of immense comfort and assurance for believers, reinforcing the eternal security found in God's love.
Today’s Action
One action you can take to apply the teachings of Romans 9 is to trust in God's plan:
Practice Trust in Uncertainty: When faced with situations that are difficult to understand or seem unfair, consciously choose to trust in God's greater plan and wisdom. Reflect on past experiences where things worked out in unexpected ways, reinforcing your faith in God's sovereignty.
This action aligns with the message of Romans 9:20-21, which reminds us that as creations, we may not fully understand the Creator's purposes, but we can trust in His ultimate wisdom and plan.
Check out this podcast as the hosts dive deeply into this topic.