…though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
Romans 9
Paul deals with one of the most difficult and hard to accept doctrines of God’s Sovereignty that is found in God’s Holy Word, God’s election of humanity. First, Paul opens this section by writing that he is willing to be a sacrifice for his fellow Jews if his sacrifice would make them chosen by God to be “Christian” for, Paul knows that human birth is not the method God uses to have His elect. Paul’s heritage was as a Jew and he, like most Jews, believed that ALL Jews were chosen to be God’s elect and would go to Heaven just because they were born to Jewish parents. Paul continues writing that, “not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but…in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of Him who calls—she (Rebekah) was told, “The older will serve the younger.” In these words, Paul says that God sovereignly chooses those to whom He places His Grace, Love and, Mercy upon for eternal salvation. Paul has already established that man’s fallen, sinful nature makes man unable to choose, of his own accord, the spiritual things of God. Though humans have a free will, their liberty to make godly choices, was lost when humanity, through Adam’s sin, lost their ability to make choices that were truly godly because humanity’s nature is corrupted by the sin nature that, now, marks the human condition. Humans no longer have the ability to choose God. So, God exercises His Sovereign choice to save some to present to His Son, the Messiah, as a Bride for Him for all eternity. Ever since Adam and Eve hid from God after their sin in the Garden of Eden, all mankind does not have and cannot make, of his own accord, the choice to obey God. Oh soul, though you may think you are seeking God, it is only those benefits of God you seek, while, at the same time, you are hiding and running from God. God commands all men, everywhere, to repent of their sin and turn to Him who is able to save their souls. Have you been chosen by God? Are you a part of the Bride of Christ? Seek God in His promises and He will grant you eternal salvation!
Source: S C Ball August 30, 2023
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