Divine Election

Romans 9:^11-12 “…God spoke these words before the sons had done anything good or bad, which proves that God calls people not on the basis of their good or bad works, but according to his divine purpose.” (TPT).

Yesterday, we said that God’s divine election or selection can be a challenge to certain people, and I will explain. So, God chose a man, Abraham, and said to him, I will have mercy on you and make you into a great nation. Through you, Abraham, the families of the earth will be blessed. Through you, Abraham, the Messiah will come, who will include the families of the earth, as many as receive Him, into this. So, Abraham had Isaac and other children, but God chose Isaac. Isaac had Jacob and Esau. Jacob became Israel, through Jacob, God continued the blessings, but not with Esau. Romans 9:^6-7 “Well then, has God failed to fulfil his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too.”

The reason Paul was asking this question is this: Jesus had come at this time, and the Gentiles (the other people of the world), and some Jews had accepted Jesus. But largely, the nation of Israel to whom God primarily promised this blessing rejected Christ. But we have now become a part of the Commonwealth of Israel and members of the Covenant that God gave because of Jesus. So, because of Jesus, the whole world, as many as accept Him, becomes a part of that Covenant tree. So, Paul was wrestling with the fact that this nation of Israel, as a people, had rejected Christ. So, being descendants of Abraham does not make them Abraham’s children according to the promise. So, you can come out of someone, and not be the person’s child. In other words, they are not accepted in the Beloved.

Romans 9:^10-13 “…Rebekah …gave birth to twins. But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” (emphasis added). You cannot fight God’s election. Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy, I will show compassion on whom I will show compassion. Heaven will show you mercy in the Name of Jesus. Rather than being preoccupied with whether it is fair or not, just receive God’s mercy.

Prayer: Father, I receive Your mercy and I thank You for choosing me according to Your own divine plan and purposes, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!