Romans 9:1-9 Keeping God’s blessings flowing in our children

Romans 9:1-9

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 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, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:“ through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8 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. 9 For this is the word of promise:“ At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Background

In spite of God’s favor upon the Israelites, they did not benefit from the things that God has given because their hearts are hardened. Paul explains that God’s blessings are hidden not in the bloodline, but in the values system hidden in the family culture. Hence, not all of Abraham’s children will be blessed, but the children of promise: those who manifest divine love and power in the way they live. Children will learn to appropriate the blessings of God when they see God’s life manifested in their parents. The way to keep God’s blessings flowing in your children is not to give them a huge inheritance, or to depend on a good education alone, or even to bring them to church, but to live by example a spirit-filled life. Believers must keep the promises of God flowing in our children and their children’s children by living the life of faith on a daily basis.

Observation

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

Paul’s attitude towards his countrymen (the Jews) is commendable despite oppositions against his preaching of the gospel and threats to his life for he loves them with his own life. The Jew’s error and hardness of heart have cut them off from the salvation of God. Having said, Paul was not indifferent towards them but wished to be accursed on their behalf if possible that they might be saved on his account. In other words, he would do anything to turn their hearts towards God, even if at the costs of his own soul.

4 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, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Israelites were promised adoption by God as sons and assured of their salvation through the covenant of circumcision and the giving of the Law, which includes the temple services as well as the myriad of promises given to them; Christ Himself is born a Jew and coming to His own to save them. Paul recounts the divine heritage and the privileges that set the Jews apart from the people of other nations as blessed of God forever.

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

“… the word of God” refers to the promises given to Abraham that his descendants will be saved. The Israelites are the descendants of Abraham whom God gave a promise that in him all the families of the earth will be saved and blessed: And I will bless those who bless you. And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. (Genesis 12:3). Thus, the Israelites believe that by virtue of their being descendants of Abraham entitles them to a privileged status of blessedness. Paul addresses the misunderstanding that not all natural descendants of Abraham are considered true descendants: they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel. The promise of blessedness will be fulfilled in those who embody the faith and life of Abraham. The promise of prosperity and abundance is perpetuated not through a bloodline, but through the spirit. Therefore, the descendants of Abraham are those who embody Abraham’s faith regardless of their ethnicity. In this respect, God has stayed faithful concerning His word to Abraham.

7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but:“ through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8 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. 9 For this is the word of promise:“ At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Paul goes on to show that not all descendants of Abraham are considered God’s children. He cited specifically Isaac and Ishmael (Abraham’s first son), with Ishmael’s descendents being explicitly excluded from the promise: “through Isaac your descendants will be named”. Therefore, the promise of salvation is not obtained through the flesh (by natural descent) but by promise: but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. The children of promise refers to all who make a personal decision to repent and acknowledge God as the Lord of their lives.

The exclusion of Ishmael as a participant of God’s promise proved that not all who are natural descendants of Abraham, who participated in study of the Law, in the rituals of the covenant and in temple services are counted as blessed and saved. The children of promise are those who having heard the gospel, have their hearts transformed to love God; who seek to live according to the Law and who express true worship in the temple services.

Truth

1. Despite differences in doctrines and convictions, we are to love one another. Paul’s doctrinal understanding differs from the Jews as well as his attitude towards his enemies. The Jews tried to take his life, but he would give his own life for them in exchange for their salvation. True doctrine is expressed not only by words but by one’s attitude towards his enemies. Believers show their authenticity of faith by their steadfast love towards people of differing faiths and convictions. Believers as a general rule, should not confront but connect with love and tolerance.
2. Every promise given to us must be appropriated by faith and obedience, otherwise it remains unfulfilled. In other words, the fulfillment of God’s promises is conditional upon our obedience to His ways. Hence, we must be focused on the process of acquiring the virtues of Christ so that we could make the right decisions and persevere towards its fulfillment. Concerning God’s promises, many misunderstood that by the mere act of praying in Jesus’ name would suffice without necessarily living out the life of Christ.
3. Possessing a correct understanding of salvation, being persistent in weekly attendance at church services, having participated in baptism and the Holy Communion do not guarantee a man’s salvation. But the one who honors God and obeys His word, being grateful for the gift of Christ will be saved. The Jews did much more and understood a great deal more than an average churchgoer today and yet they were excluded from the promises. It is not what one professes to know that is important but what one does according to the motives of his heart that reveals his true position before God.
4. You cannot arm-twist your children into honoring God, they must make the choice themselves. God knows their hearts and is working to reveal Himself to them and He will call them when they are ready to respond to Him. Abraham supposed that Ishmael is the promised one, but in fact it is through Isaac that the promise came. Parents unknowingly single out one of their children and project their hopes on him. But only God knows their hearts and see their future. Our responsibility as parents and ministers is to live the example in hope that their hearts may be postured in the right manner. Ishmael was deprived of a godly father figure early in life and the legacy of faith that could have prospered him. Thus, there is a reason why God’s promises follow the descendents of men/women of faith. People’s lives are changed when they see the principles at work in their parents. The way to impute God’s promises into our children is not just to provide them with the best education, but more importantly to be the living example of one that wholly depends on God.

Application

1. Do you approach issues like LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) in a confrontational manner or appeal to the emotional needs in love through friendship and by building strong family values? Do you slam other churches because of differing doctrine and convictions? How do you attempt to reveal the ways of righteousness by speaking the truth and giving them the space to make up their own convictions?
2. When praying for a breakthrough for your work, ministry and family. Do not just ask God to change your circumstances alone, try asking God to change you and fill you with His virtues. Identify the virtues that are critical to bring a breakthrough in your work, family and ministry. And work on integrating those virtues into your mindset and lifestyle one at a time. And you will realise that breakthrough is closer than you think.
3. Do you present a good model for your children to follow? Children are very impressionable, they learn not by taking instructions but by observation. People do not comply simply because you ask them to, but they follow the conviction of their hearts. Conviction arises when they see the principles that you advocate coming alive through you on a daily basis.

Dear Lord, help me to love those who differ in their religious and cultural backgrounds, not in words but in works. It is through my love and friendship that will cause them to experience You. Give me the grace and wisdom to teach my children and influence those around me for good. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.