Now, he concludes the matter. How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they [...]
Another obvious question is whether God is unfair? Are you going to object, “So how can God blame us for anything since he’s in charge of everything? If the big decisions are already made, what say do we have in it?” (Romans 9:19) In other words, if God can harden your heart and set you [...]
Isaac also had a couple of sons—twins, as a matter of fact. To Rebecca, also, a promise was made that took priority over genetics. When she became pregnant by our one-of-a-kind ancestor, Isaac, and her babies were still innocent in the womb—incapable of good or bad—she received a special assurance from God. What God did [...]
Remember how it was put: “Your family will be defined by Isaac”? That means that Israelite identity was never racially determined by sexual transmission, but it was God-determined by promise. Remember that promise, “When I come back next year at this time, Sarah will have a son”? (Romans 9:8-9)
Don’t suppose for a moment, though, that God’s Word has malfunctioned in some way or other. The problem goes back a long way. From the outset, not all Israelites of the flesh were Israelites of the spirit. It wasn’t Abraham’s sperm that gave identity here, but God’s promise (Romans 9:6-7)
After Jesus had asked his disciples what people were saying about him, he turned the question to the disciples and said, “Who do you say that I am?” He wanted to know what conclusions they had come to. Based on their experiences with him, had they come to see him for who he really was? [...]
It has been correctly stated that, considering the claims of Christ for himself, he was either a liar, a lunatic, or the true Lord. C. S. Lewis, who was once an agnostic, and later became a Christian and who was also a professor at Cambridge University, wrote, “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying [...]
Back in 2006, Steve Camp wrote on his blog: A Boy Named “Sue” Christians suing Christians, the latest shame in evangelicalism Where the love of self and the love money traverse; and distrusting the sovereignty of God in one’s personal affairs is condoned.
Now, take another look at verse 5: To them belong the patriarchs, and as far as His natural descent was concerned, from them is the Christ, Who is exalted and supreme over all, God, blessed forever! Amen. (Romans 9:5) Let’s consider that a moment. Who is this talking aboutn . . . Jesus!
Letter to Christians in Rome: Chapter 9 (pt 13 of 13)
Now, there is nothing wrong with good works, but good works must accompany faith. Good works are the result of faith. Good works must be motivated in the right spirit, not by our own selfish desire to be good or to do good things, or because we think it will impress everyone—including YHWH, Himself. Well, [...]
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Bible Commentaries, Bible Study, Romans