The heritage keepers
Romans 9:1-5 KJV
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, [2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: [4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God , and the promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came , who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Romans 9:14-17 KJV
[14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [17] For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Justification and salvation are not by works of the law but are by faith in Christ Jesus. From the text above, Paul was sad because he was a Jew and since many Jews were enemies of the Gospel, they could not be saved by their works alone. The promises to the patriarchs was not in any way invalidated by the Jew’s rejection of the Gospel.
For any Jew to be a partaker of the promise God made to Abraham that He will be his God and the God of his seed, he or she must embrace Christ. It is not appropriate to anyone who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul proves the absolute sovereignty of God in disposing of the Children of men, having asserted the true meaning of the promise with reference to their eternal state.
In the text, Paul also showed us how the rejection of the Jews and the extension of salvation to the Gentiles were foretold in the Old Testament. The Gentiles were adopted to be people of God despite their unworthiness. This did not debar them from enjoying the grace and mercy of God.
Our God is Almighty. He decides to choose and reject. He shows mercy and compassion to whoever he decides to show. Only those who will put their trust and faith in God through Jesus Christ are the covenant people of God.
My question to you today is: are you part of the covenant children of God?
Only those who trust in God through Jesus Christ are His covenant and heritage people. Examine your heart today to be sure you are God’s covenant child.
I pray God will count us worthy of His mercy and compassion in Jesus name. Amen