Romans Nine Part 2
Romans 9:7–9 (AV) “7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.”
Earlier in Romans nine we saw that the Israelites had everything set up for them yet when the Christ appeared, they rejected Him. Paul has begun explaining the nature of their error. The heart of the matter is that they thought that their observance of rules, rites, and rituals was making them right with God. They missed the central message that God had sent.
In verse seven we read that simply being a descendant of Abraham was not what qualified them. Verse eight shows that those who are considered God’s children are those born of the promise.
The life of Abraham demonstrated God’s plan of redemption. He promised a child. The child did not arrive when Abraham expected. Because things looked impossible, Abraham took matters into his own hands and had a child outside of his marriage. Finally, the Lord gave him a child by his wife—who had not borne any children before—and it was this child who would be Abraham’s heir. (see Genesis 21:12)
The story is recounted in Galatians 4:22-28 (AV) where we find, “22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth [birthed him] to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth [corresponds] to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.”
The point being made here is that righteousness does not come through human effort. Righteousness comes through the promise of God. As we read in Genesis 22:8, God Himself will provide a lamb.
There is nothing you can do to make yourself compatible or acceptable to God. You cannot have a relationship with Him or stand righteous in His presence by any act of contrition, sorrow, moral living, sacrifice, or devotion.
Because you cannot help yourself, Father has graciously provided everything required. Jesus qualified in every way, laid down His life, and rose again from the dead. This made available everything necessary for life and godliness as a gift. You can accept a gift or you can reject a gift, but you can never pay for a gift. Salvation is the gift of God. This is the good news of the Gospel.
In the next segment we will begin unpacking the most difficult parts of Romans nine.
